Capped bust 50ct collectors
Herb_T
Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
Who collects based on Overton number versus year/variation versus just one per year? Curious as I am trying to collect based on every year/variation. All I can say is there a lot of them!
Also, I love the die cracks and the creative way the mint made some of these!
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Comments
Welcome to the madness Herb!
I'm trying to do a "RedBook Set" (date and major variety), and also collecting by Overton (or Die Marriage), although the second may be out of my reach, and even the first has a couple extremely difficult and /or very pricey coins.
For reference, there are 72 for the Redbook Set as per my count, and 450 DM's total for the CBH's, (both of these are not counting Reeded Edge coins).
“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
I found this book VERY helpful to learn how to attribute early half dollar varieties...
But for me the learning curve was steep, requiring study & practice (and a good triplet magnifier).
The Payoff: It's VERY gratifying if you find a rare variety. More fun too.
Successful BST transactions with forum members thebigeng, SPalladino, Zoidmeister, coin22lover, coinsarefun, jwitten, CommemKing.
It's a slippery slope. Most of us started out wanting a single example for a type set. Then, suddenly we needed to put together a year set. Then the Red Book struck. Finally, full-blown bust fever set in and we needed the die marriage set.
Bust half fever is real. It is a threat to your bankbook. Get out now while there's still time!
I collect by die marriage. AU and above, mostly.
450 is a steep hill to climb. I'm at 371 and figure I can get close to the top but a handful will keep me from ever reaching the summit. Some die marriages are excessively rare, in strong hands, and/or outrageously expensive.
Lance.
I have completed a couple years in the series by DM and die state (1808, 1813)
These are relatively easy years to complete since they lack any rare or expensive marriages or states but provided all the fun of completing a marriage set and seeing all the possibilities a years worth of minting bust halves can produce.
I have found other areas in the CBH series to enjoy the hunt within the confines of the budget and sanity limits I have..
Die state progressions can be very fun on certain coins with dramatic cracking and clashing, starting from prime to VLDS.
Many if these will seem to have more distinct stops along the way than the sometimes limiting a,b,c..etc
Super fun fever to catch!
Where can I find a price guide for year/ Overton # combination? Sometimes I find a coin going for crazy money over the PCGS price guide by a significant amount. Only thing I can figure is that the date/Overton # combination is driving the price but I don’t know for sure. Anyone?
Is this book any different than Overton’s book? I have his book.
I participated in an auction recently for a bearded goddess that was PCGS book price of $7,000. I dropped out at $8,600 and it finished at $10,250! It was a beautiful coin with full beard and drool! I will have to keep my eyes out for another one. Grrrrrrrr, next time!
I haven't seen any other Overton books, but I'm guessing they all cover the same basics.
I got the above 5th Edition because if I remember correctly it was the newest available at the time.
Maybe someone will chime in if there's a book that's newer and better.
Successful BST transactions with forum members thebigeng, SPalladino, Zoidmeister, coin22lover, coinsarefun, jwitten, CommemKing.
Ahhhh….I have the third edition. That’s what I call The Overton book. Bought pretty cheap, maybe $35.
www.maibockaddict.com
Memorize the ones you’re interested in and the rare ones! Maybe you’ll find a 🍒
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
Herb,
The 3rd Edition should do you fine. That's what I use ... in addition to notes, pictures and multiple websites, including the one Paul just mentioned www.maibockaddict.com
The 5th addition was the latest update after Al passed, if I understand it correctly. Don is (was) his son in law.
Get anything tonight?
I did!
“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
You need Steve Herrman's AMBPR. Published twice a year, the "Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794 - 1839" tracks and reports on the sale of every significant bust half dollar by date, die marriage, rarity and grade.
It is the definitive guide on sales and prices.
Contact Steve to order the printed guide or the electronic pdf: herrman102@aol.com
Lance.
That is Al Overton's book. After his demise his son-in-law, Don Parsley, released newer versions.
It has been called the bible and been relevant for decades. But to be honest it suffers from poor b&w images, cryptic/esoteric diagnostics, and well-known errors that have been public for years.
Alternative books are available, like Dr. Peterson's "The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars". And websites such as Dave's Bust Half Dollar site.
Personally, I keep a set of high resolution images of every die marriage on a cloud server. Attribution is a lot easier with good pictures and knowing what to look for.
Lance.
Prices will vary wildly.
Eye appeal always has its say in what any coin sells for. Often when you think you have gotten an amazing deal on a coin based off of a price guide, you can discover later that the coin just wasn't PQ enough for others with more discerning taste to bid on.
As for the BG, it matters very much how far along the the crack has progressed.
The b is more valuable than the a, and there are even later die states that advanced collectors may have been waiting on for quite awhile and are ready to fight for.
As far as I know, pcgs guide on this coin isn't separated into a and b, that alone makes a pretty big dif..
The 3rd edition is very good.
I like it because the pictures are high quality and you can put a magnifying glass over them and they don't distort.
The 5th Edition is my favorite along with Glenn Peterson's "The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars".
Peterson's is excellent and definitely read the Introduction to be able to use it efficiently.
BHNC #203
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Thanks for the info. I contacted Steve at that email. Quick reply, great communications. I ordered the printed guide.
Successful BST transactions with forum members thebigeng, SPalladino, Zoidmeister, coin22lover, coinsarefun, jwitten, CommemKing.
You won't regret it. His compilation is priceless.
Steve is the most singularly focused collector I've ever met. He spends countless hours tracking bust half sales. And even goes to the trouble to verify each attribution.
I could say a lot about his contributions to, and role in, the legendary Bust Half Nut Club. But I shouldn't.
Let's just say he is among the most knowledgable and accomplished bust half collectors of all time. We're blessed he shares his work with us.
Lance.
I actually sent him one today in the mail.
Merry Christmas.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
I just wanted to add that Steve is a heck of a nice guy and has absolutely zero Ego. Not many like him around!
Maybe @habaraca qualifies… MAYBE
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
LOL. They'd make quite a team,.
Merry Christmas.
Lance.
I have some on BST forum, https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1068390/fsh-50-ct-capped-bust#latest