NEWP: A Compelling Capped Bust Half and Reflections on the CU Forum
Catbert
Posts: 6,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
Collecting compelling coins is only one aspect of my hobby enjoyment. Participating in this forum is another where we can share our new pieces, learn about the minting process and errors therein, the history behind the coin, and the repartee (and drama) to witness and sometimes engage. Over the years, I’ve been educated here and seen my discernment grow.
A special pleasure has been the opportunity to acquire coins from specialists/experienced collectors who regularly post here. I’ve bought coins from great dealers, auctions, and at major shows, but directly contacting several here has led to some very satisfying new pieces finding their way into my collection. I thank all those who have been willing to share their coins with me.
My latest new piece was acquired via private treaty (yes, ridiculous for that fancy phrase to apply to my humble purchases, but I always wanted to write that – and now I have!) from one of our great forum members, @lkeigwin . I have watched Lance’s posts over the years and knew, as a type collector, that when I was ready to buy a CBH, such a specialist would be a good person to know. Plus, beyond his expertise, he’s one heck of a nice guy and an excellent photographer. I just wish I lived near him so I could buy him a drink.
As all know, the Capped Bust Halves series is filled with interesting varieties and when choosing one for my type set, I wanted an example that has die clashes and other interesting features such as a later die state (“bleeding” stars for example). So, I PM’d Lance and he was generous with offering a coin even though it would leave a gap in his registry set. I couldn’t resist its charm.
So, here’s my PCGS MS62 new piece. The 1814 O-103 has plenty of obverse clashing -- both wings (the left one twice), leaves at S7, scroll above the date and to S1, stripes below the ear, arrows at S8. Even some of the motto through the date. On the reverse you can see the clashing of Liberty's turban through the denomination and arrows and to the right wing, curls above the right wing, drapery below the scroll. And of course the thick die break, left wing to the start of the banner as a key marker for the variety. While listed as a R-1, I don’t think there are many that have this level of eye appeal.
Here are Lance’s pictures along with a different CBH showing an overlay of the designs merged together. My coin’s clash is slightly rotated but you can get the idea by comparing his two photos!
It's Friday! A happy day, sipping my bourbon, and gazing at a wonderful token of history and numismatics. I hope you find it of interest too.
Comments
Great coin that fits your high quality set!
Best, SH
Successful transactions with-Boosibri,lkeigwin,TomB,Broadstruck,coinsarefun,Type2,jom,ProfLiz, UltraHighRelief,Barndog,EXOJUNKIE,ldhair,fivecents,paesan,Crusty...
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That is a great piece, a wonderful story, and from an outstanding guy! Congratulations @Catbert
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
excellent type ! congratulations !!!!
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
I couldn’t think of a better source than Lance for a wonderful Capped Bust half dollar. And it was an absolute pleasure to read about your transaction.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I love it. If I were to pick up a CBH; I'd want one just like that one. Early date, high quality (MS), nice eye appeal & cool clash marks! Both of you are great guys and forum members. It's really nice to see you both come together on a deal like that. Cheers and enjoy that bourbon! I bet that it tastes extra good tonight.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set:
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
An outstanding piece @Catbert and the best part of it is it’s provenance!
Any bust half from Lance’s collection is definitely a beauty.
Love 1814 CBH’s in general, and for so many reasons...the clashes, the earlier design type, etc, etc.
Congrats on such a beautiful acquisition!
Dave
Great coin, and the posters are correct, you can't go wrong with a coin from Lance's collection.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Your coin is sublime and your compliments were directed at a most deserving forumite.
That is an example of a coin with exceptional eye-appeal! Great coin!
That is lovely. Lance has great taste. So do you.
siliconvalleycoins.com
Private treaty, eh? Nice to know you and Lance won't be declaring war on each other anytime soon.
In all seriousness, that is a gorgeous Bust half. Congrats on the acquisition!
That's an outstanding coin! One of the best things about this website is that it's such a great place to share our coins with others.
I knew opening this thread it would be great because you have great taste!
Then you mention Lance and his capped bust half’s add in some fantastic images...
....well you my dear have a trifecta especial’. Congrats. I always thought to knock
on Lances door when I’m ready to add one to my collection.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
A really neat coin! Hope you are drinking good bourbon!
carolinacollectorcoins.com
Sometimes hitting the Like button is just not enough...so I've come back to this thread to say that is a very nice coin and a great write-up about your deal with Lance!
You guys are too kind. I'm no more talented than a hundred collectors here. But your comments are very appreciated.
@catbert sold me on his passion and persistence. He knew what he wanted. And we found the right coin.
Win-win. I can now pay my CA real estate taxes. Wait...is that really a win?
Lance.
Really nice looking 1814. Congrats.
Great transaction story and a really nice coin... I have seen that 'reverse die-break' at coin shows in the PNW when I lived there...Unique. Cheers, RickO
Pardon me for bumping my thread. I wanted to quote a few passages from Numismatic Art in America (Cornelius Vermeule, 2nd edition) regarding the design and reaction at the time.
"The new coin combined a Liberty in a Phrygian cap with a pseudonatural heraldic eagle. The bird was later said by a perceptive government official to defy both nature and art. In commenting on the Liberty, one critic remarked that the artist had put a picture of his fat mistress on the coins."
"The form of the "sandwich-board" eagle that persisted for over 80 years on our coins may not have been a new design in 1807, and may not even have been of American origin as far as numismatics are concerned. It graces the Mott token dated 1789 which may have been manufactured in England for the fashionable New York firm of jewelers and importers.....This is the milieu out of which came the first artists of the U.S. coinage.....The first federal die designers and engravers could have produced a cruder coinage."
"On the obverse of the 1807 half dollar and other coins redesigned by John Reich, "turbaned" Liberty's little Phrygian cap, like the eagle, was also destined to call forth complaints, whether in connection with these issues or the coins of 1892 to 1916. In Roman historical and funerary art of the late Republican period and Empire, such a cap had been the object bestowed on slaves when they were given their freedom, and no one wished to think of the United States as a nation of bondsmen who had been given their independence by the British or even by the revolutionary patriots now in power."
If you don't own a copy of Vermeule's book, I highly recommend it for your library.
Congrats on the cool bust. I like the 1814s best
Vermeule wrote a great book, but it is now thought that the Mott token is from as late as the 1830's - so copying the current US coins instead of pre-dating them. "The dating of the token has ranged from 1789 (the date on the coin) to as late as the 1830s. In 2002, researcher Wesley S. Cox and Russell Rulau presented evidence linking the Mott Tokens to other private tokens issued by Robert S. Lovett, Jr., thus placing the Mott Tokens somewhere in the period between 1832-1844."
Great coin - thanks for sharing!
Edited to add link to this earlier discussion: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1039907/the-mott-token-more-than-you-ever-wanted-to-know Another great post.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association