The Rolling Stones Walk Into a Bar with Five Reeded Edge Half Dollars and Get…SHATTERED!

TomB

By now many folks on the boards are aware that I simply adore the RE half dollar series, but not all realize that I was a teenager in 1978 when the Rolling Stones released “Some Girls”. On that album was a track that many consider the Stone’s interpretation of the early punk scene and it was titled “Shattered”. Truly, I know of no one who would consider this song to be either lyrically or musically deep, but I have historically found the beat to be infectious (or, to some, no doubt relentless, incessant or annoying as all get-out) and every time I look at RE half dollars with cracked dies the song pops into my head. Perhaps this is my 1970s numismatic curse, but I will happily pass it along to you if you would like to see and hear a 1978 live performance in Texas of the song in a safe-for-work link-

https://youtu.be/MYvy3kBYN4Q

Recently, there have been a few threads about RE half dollars and I thought I would share my little slice of what many might consider a numismatic backwater. Excellent reading, images, diagnostics and background information can be obtained in the definitive work on the series “A Registry of Die Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839” by our own Dick Graham with Introduction by Thomas Bush.

1838 GR-1 (JR-1)

This coin has cracks that are cool as all get-out. The obverse has a crack that starts between stars 5 and six, but nearer star 6, that swoops down into the forehead of Ms. Liberty just above her eye, travels through the T of LIBERTY in the headband and exits through the left portions of star 7 out through the rim. It is paired with a reverse die that has a massive set of cracks that intersect within the eagle near the junction of the body, wing and leg. One crack starts from the rim, goes through the T in UNITED, travels toward and into the wing before turning dramatically downward to exit through the arrow feathers, tip of the claw and between OL in DOL to the rim. The second major crack enters the other side of the reverse between the RI in AMERICA, goes through the near wing, bisects the shield and then meets up with the previous crack to split the reverse into three distinct segments. This coin was picked up off of the PCGS BST boards in 2007 and is an OGH.

1838 GR-4 (JR-16)

Some might think this coin shares the same reverse die as the GR-1 shown earlier, but indeed, they are different. The obverse crack is minor on this coin and travels from the tip of Ms. Liberty’s bust to the rim just below star one. However, the reverse has a very thick, cool, lumpy crack coming from the rim through the D in UNITED and diagonally through the upper portion of the wing into the center of the shield before turning downward slightly to arc through the arrows, a claw and through or between OL in DOL before exiting the rim. Additionally, there is a fine crack from the eagle’s beak to S1 that almost appears to leave the reverse in two planes. This particular coin also exhibits very strong roller marks around 7:00 o’clock on the reverse that extend toward the center of the reverse and result in less detail as-struck in this portion of the design. I think they are a cool artifact of the US Mint and its early struggles with the then new steam press while others may find the roller marks distracting. Some die marriages are more commonly found with these planchet roller streaking marks while others are generally not known with this feature. This coin was also purchased through the PCGS BST, though in 2012, and is also in an OGH.

1838 GR-11 (JR-3)

This coin exhibits an early die state (EDS) for the obverse die with three thin, fine cracks from the tip of Ms. Liberty’s bust to the rim below star one, through the base of the date and from the rim through star twelve and into the lowest hair curl. This obverse is paired with a VEDS reverse that is considered a prime die state (no die cracks visible). Later die states show additional and more severe cracks on both obverse and reverse. A third PCGS OGH coin, which was purchased in 2008.

1839-O GR-1 (JR-1)

Truly, I consider this coin to perhaps be my favorite regular issue of my little accumulation of this quirky series and those who are willing to enter this niche will find out very quickly how difficult this coin can be when certain standards are in place. There are myriad die cracks on this coin that are most easily seen on the obverse if one looks at the lower portion of the numbers in the date. This crack enters the lower portion of the bust, exits to join up with star one and then dances lightly around the obverse to join the remaining stars. The reverse cracks are easier to visualize and might start as a break in from the rim at 7:00 o’clock between a pair of olive leaves. The crack then splits with one avenue going up through the leaves, the wingtip, under UNI of UNITED before entering the adjacent letter T and traversing the remainder of the legend before exiting the rim at the C of AMERICA. The other avenue of the crack mentioned previously goes through HALF DOL and into the arrow tips. This is a MDS example.

1839-O GR-1 (JR-1)

A second example of the same die pair, but a much later die state example with heavier cracks through the date as well as a long, arcing crack that joins the left-most stars to the right-most stars via Ms. Liberty’s cap. At this point the obverse die is cracked to the point that it appears to create multiple planes. Similarly, the reverse has degraded to such a degree that the fine cracks seen previously are now thick with blobs that have deformed some of the peripheral letters. The eagle’s beak now has a crack that joins A1 and threatens to shatter the reverse entirely. This is an example of a VLDS coin.

And finally, enjoy the last quirky piece…

MFeld

I like the Stones, but I love those coins!

Boosibri

Those coins are phenomenal

shish

Beautiful examples! Your passion and photographic skills are inspiring.

erwindoc

Cool write up and pics Tom! Reading this makes me wish I had hung on to at least one of mine.

OKbustchaser

@MFeld said:
I like the Stones, but I love those coins!

On the other hand, I don't particularly like the Stones (Beatles forever!) but like Mark I do love the coins.

fishteeth

Those are incredible. Thanks for posting

ricko

@TomB...Great coins and fantastic pictures - such detail, clearly visible. Great descriptions. As far as the music... I listened to the video... Never a fan of this type of music (Jazz, Sinatra etc. for me), but I must admit, it has a good beat ... had me tapping the table. Cheers, RickO

kaz

That was fun! I remember my first party I threw at a little house I was renting around '78-'79, Some Girls was the most played album. Some great looking coins; the last 39-O prompted me to look at my own example, it's also a VLDS. Cool stuff!

jonruns

Some beautiful original coins...been looking for a 39-O myself for a while and I Can't Get No Satisfaction...

jayPem

As someone who loves die cracks, reeded edge halves and particularly the Stones in the mid/late 70's, this post is a win!
I was in elementary/junior high back in those days but still managed to buy most of the albums they put out ( killer B+M record store a few blocks away)... I was fully immersed in the SF punkrock scene in the early 80's and now that I think about it, the song Shattered was definitely a stepping Stone..😜

ms71

I can't give it away on Seventh Avenue . . . . . . . . .

Crypto

I’m not sure if it your access to shows, superhuman patience or unwavering standards. But knowing what constitutes honest coins and being able to assemble them so consistently are two different things. Those are very nice but you know that better than I. 38GR-1 is my fav. I bet the luster around the rim gleams when right.

Cool post

Crypto

@ms71 said:
I can't give it away on Seventh Avenue . . . . . . . . .

Come to DC, there is a market here

Catbert

My brain’s been battered…..looking at such fine representations of the type!

Ah, 1978. Graduating from HS and entering freshman year of college. Stones visit Hampton Coliseum in 1981 but I can’t afford ticket as a poor college student. Nonetheless, good times except for my older brother with an 18% mortgage loan!

WAYNEAS

Excellent pictures and very educational.
Thanks or the post.
Wayne

drddm

Amazing coins!
I am very aware of how difficult it is to find Reeded edge halves with exceptional surfaces and eye appeal by how long it took me to find my 39-O a few years back. It is now in a PCGS 58 holder and remains as one of my favorite coins in my collection for numerous reasons.

Great job in assembling a truly incredible set of reeded edge halves, Tom!

Dave

Herb_T

I am working on putting a set of Capped Bust 50 cent together...I really appreciate your coins and your sharing....thank you!

pursuitofliberty

Great write up and a befitting song ...

... but you kind of left us hanging with the "And finally, enjoy the last quirky piece…"

I know, I know ... You can't always get what you want

gonzer

Shayooby.

ElmerFusterpuck

Very nice coins! I love that album and that song too. Though "Shattered" only got a little ways into the top 40 and wasn't a huge hit at the time, the song has lived on along with that album.

lkenefic

I graduated HS in 1978... Love The Stones and love the RE Half too!! Thanks for sharing your passion...

oih82w8

Sha oobie!

I have the Stones on my mp3 player as well as hair metal and 70's 80's and 90's country.

Was the no stars 38 a pattern? Really nice representation of RE Busties!

Nysoto

Great coins, I really like the VLDS 1839-O. In 1978 I bought my first house as a working college student, it was basically an animal house with Some Girls blasting on my Speakerlab 7's, still have them.

CaptHenway

Pipe the crazy no stars half! I wonder if that was a very clever way to steal silver off of a coin?

WinLoseWin

Styx and 'Stones may break my bones, but die cracks will never hurt me (unless I am a coinage die or a wallet).

TomB

Thank you for all the kind words. I'm glad folks liked the coins.

In general, I've been patient over the years and searched for or waited for the right coin to come up before pouncing. It helps that I don't mind to own multiples of the same issue, don't feel compelled to buy or complete sets and I feel free to pay far more than a price guide might suggest a coin is worth if it is the right coin for me.

scubafuel

Tom’s last point is so important. If you create your own mental price guide based on long experience with a series, you can get huge bargains paying far more than “book”.

WinLoseWin

@TomB So what is the no-stars photo. I assumed it was an altered photo, or is it an altered coin?

Didn't recall any patterns like that though it does have a cool look and would have made a good design like the no-stars dimes, half dimes, and Gobrecht dollars.

dan_marinelli

No-stars liberty coinage is my ultimate favorite design, but I haven't procured a Gobrecht dollar...yet.

I like the reeded edge halfs as I don't think I have the stamina to collect bust halfs by date, let alone Overton numbers.

Steven59

Amazing examples !

pmh1nic

TomB is just a "wild and crazy guy".

robec

Love the coins and love the Stones, saw them when they were still youngsters in 1965 and 1966. RIP Charle Watts.

SkyMan

Fun coins!

steveben

i enjoyed this post thanks. nice coins. also, my favorite look is 1839-O GR-1 (JR-1)