Clashing and Cracks and Re-punching ... oh my!! A new CBH
pursuitofliberty
Posts: 7,109 ✭✭✭✭✭
Seems like coins come to me in small groups, a few in a row, and then nothing for a spell. Monday, two newps arrived, which I shared here. Today, I went to the Post office right before lunch to pick this up.
This issue kind of stands alone as something I have been studying and considering for a while as a potential early-date purchase if the right piece became available at the right price. I hadn’t even really been looking, more studying the issue and hoping, figuring when the time was right I’d see her and hopefully would be ready.
And then, this one just fell onto my radar, and after some consideration, everything worked out.
The 1814 E/A, especially late and very late die states, are really quite the interesting examples. In my view, they provide almost everything that’s easy to love about Capped Bust Halves, and of early 19th Century silver issues in general.
. Heavy, multiple Die Clashing. Check.
. Multiple, wandering Die Cracks. Check.
. Die fatigue from Clashing and Lapping. Check.
. Unusual striking characteristics, and from the hand-fed, Screw Press process. Check.
. Hand-made dies with re-punched, misplaced or overstruck Lettering. Check.
And in this case, an example with mostly original surfaces and skin, pleasant toning and an attractive look. Check!
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Check please! Check please!! 
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Damn sure wiped out part of the war-chest that checkbook represents, 
but I am super happy I was able to get this example, at a price that seemed reasonably fair for everything she is.
Feel free to GTG, provide any thoughts or comments, or share yours.
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“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
Comments
Lovely!! XF 45 if graded recently AU50 if graded a few years or so ago
Great coin, I love my example also. So much going on with these.
Very nice! There is something about coins with die clash and cracks that gets me excited. Enjoy!
That coin is a beautiful mess....Love it !
Holy Mackerel! That is a stunning coin that I would have snapped up in a heartbeat had I seen it first. Way to go!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Beautiful, original and just plain historically cool. Congrats Buddy!
August 24, 1814 – War of 1812 – Burning of Washington – British troops, after defeating American forces, at the Battle of Bladensburg, occupy Washington, D.C., setting numerous buildings on fire, including the Capitol and Presidential Mansion. President of the US Was James Madison
50.........
LOVE IT! The eagle even has an eye, somewhat unusual for this marriage.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Very nice example. Congratulations.
I love how "50 C" is practically bleeding into the rim.
The wear on the Eagle's head makes him a "real" Bald Eagle.
Pete
Love it! Guessing 45……
50 👀
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
This is a great example why Capped Bust Halves are really awesome coins to collect. The human element in making the dies and the Mints desire at the time to use the dies until they were just about dead provides some great landscape on the coins!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Stunner! I'll try 55...😄
Here's one I used to have, earlier die state.
Oddly the eagles head is weaker..
Cool
Thanks for all the comments!
She’s definitely and interesting piece, and I am very happy to have her here.
As for the grade, this is an issue that is notoriously tough, and as several posters have mentioned, and I tried to allude in my opening, part of that is due to strike.
Some of these, even of a higher grade than this one, lack head details on the reverse, with some missing much or any eye and beak details. Further the neck feathers and left wing are often noticeably weak. On the obverse it is almost always the stars to the right that show the most weakness, although mine is pretty weak in that area.
This coin was graded AU50 by our host (and for @2windy2fish , that was some years ago), and it also sports a green bean (which came more recently). In hand, based on everything I know and everything I have seen I could see it as either the AU50, or possibly as an AU53, mostly due to the luster and surface qualities.
“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
Great coin, great grade and great pictures.
Thanks for sharing.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
Wow that coin has a lot of character!! Very nice pickup
simply a wonderful example ... I love the complexity
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
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Am guessing XF45?? I can relate to your enthusiasm regarding all the visual interest!!
Here's my 1814, but a different variety.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Clearly an AU piece. I was going to say AU-50 or 53, so I'm glad it graded but it is a bit of a "crapshoot" as to whether the the graders will know the series. The other variety that comes to mind is the 1809 O-105 weak chin variety. Unless one knows the series, he or she will under-grade these every time.
Tom
My GTG - WOW!
Many successful BST transactions with dozens of board members, references on request.
Great 14-103 @Catbert
Thank you all again for even more comments. I am pretty jazzed about this piece and am glad you all have enjoyed it as well!
“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
Such a cool variety. The E over A. And what a wonderful example. Congrats, Todd.
Speculation is that the A punched into STATES instead of the correct E was not a matter of illiteracy by the help or a spelling error by Reich. It was likely due to a distraction that caused Reich to lose his place. Seeing a T and little more (under magnification) he didn't realize he was about to strike the fifth letter, not the third. I wonder what expletive he uttered.
Lance.
Ahhhh, the 1814 E/A….hands down, my favorite die marriage in the entire CBH series…for so many reasons, many of which were mentioned in the above posts.
I have studied this die marriage, and very popular Redbook variety, extensively since I began collecting bust halves many years ago, and it can be found in various die states, and with a variety of strikes.
First off, I absolutely love your 1814 O.108a PCGS 50 CAC, Todd. It has a beautiful, original skin to it, not to mention a very good strike, especially on the eagles head and left wing compared to what you see out there, and excellent overall eye appeal. If the luster is truly there, then I think it has a shot at upgrading to 53 primarily due to its better than average strike, which often causes it to receive lower grades to begin with.
As I was saying above, it can be found in various die states. In its earliest state, it can be found without any die cracks and no clashing as well (also known as a prime die state), which some experts consider to be an R6.
Here is my O.108 Prime PCGS 45 CAC, also with a very good strike on the eagles head and left wing. Finding an example with a good or better strike is so tough.
And my favorite CBH in my entire collection…my O.108a PCGS 63+ CAC
Dave
Does SH know how to grade or what?
I cheated, here is mine in 45 that provided me guidance. Nowhere near the amount of amazing clashes tho' - you wanna trade pursuitofliberty? I'll throw in a few bucks.........
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When it comes to grading, you're a rockstar @spacehayduke
I like yours ... but nah ... I really like mine.
Now if you can get Dave's 63+ ...
“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
Hmmm............ Dave?
Hmmm…..unfortunately my 63+ is not for sale, sorry SH.
But I have to say that your 45 has quite a bit of eye appeal, as does Todd’s 50. Both are beautiful examples of the E/A!
Dave