An 1808 Bust Half --- at least one member here used to own it --- now it's mine! GRADE / INFO POSTED
pursuitofliberty
Posts: 7,099 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, this coin has been in a few holders. If you know how to look, you'll find her.
I was surprised that I found her in three different holders if you count the one she's in now. Why someone put her in white plastic when she was in a PCGS Shield Holder, IDK. 
I'm going to talk with PCGS about getting this back into it's PCGS holder.
If you can't find her, or don't want to spoil it, GTG!
And for bonus points, you can also guess the significance ... to me.
And more bonus points, if you get her provenance right (maybe that former owner will chime in).
My pictures are pretty accurate, but she's a hard bird to image as she changes a LOT in the light. So, since she also had a TV in a previous holder, I'll give you that too (less the certification, of course!).
Without further ado ...
.
“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
Nice off center strike
@basetsb_coins on Instagram
For the grade guess, I’ll go with AU53 and for the significance, I’ll guess the date represents your birth year?
😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I think you've got me by a few years my friend, so what year exactly were YOU born?!
“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'm not able to guess the grade today.... but I'll guess that the coin's provenance includes @lkeigwin
I don't know how to properly grade Capped Busts, but I'll guess that it's AU. It has nice toning as well. I have no idea how I'd "find" that coin. As for significance... Your favorite number? When your ancestors came to America? How many bathrooms are in your house? How many children you have? How many candy bars you eat in a day? I have no idea.
Young Numismatist
You pretty much nailed it, Todd - I’ve got you by three years - 1805 for me.😬
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Probably a good guess most days, but nope. He actually asked me "How much?" when I sent him the pictures. That statement is kind of an inside joke between us, but it is pretty much the ultimate compliment when we show each other 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’ll go with AU53. I’ll give the provenance a shot later and edit this if I find it.
Coin Photographer.
I should have added this tidbit ... of the three holders I know of that she has been in, two are PCGS and this one is NGC ... all three were the exact same grade.
“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
55
I’m thinking 53. There is a lot to like.
lots of character and nice photo! your photo looks to me like 55 whilst the trueview 53.
www.paradimecoins.com - Specializing in Top Pop Type PCGS CAC coins. Subscribe To Our NEWPs Mailing List
53
This is the only 1808 die marriage I don't have. I wasn't impressed by the images when it came to auction last year. And I was already over budget. So I didn't preview the lot. I didn't research. I passed on it. Dumb.
I know the provenance. I know the grade. I know what it means to Todd. And I know he won't sell it to me.
We are no longer friends.
Lance.
Before the pcgs prong holders came along, I had a couple off centered bust halves like this one... it really bugged me that one of the coolest parts of the coin was buried in a rubber gasket!
I was on the verge if crossing to NGC when PCGs introduced the edge view holder.
So I got them reholdered instead!
I was wondering if that may have been the case here? One of the pcgs pics Todd showed me of this beaut had a similar older gasket and I could've seen someone wanting it in a holder with prongs...?
IDK.. but I too know the grade and significance!! Way to go bro 👏
I happen to know all of the answers to your questions, Todd, so I won’t participate in that respect.
But what I will say is that she’s really beautiful, in all of her “looks” and one I wouldn’t mind having in my collection.
A big congrats to you, Todd, with regard to its significance!!
Dave
Looks incredible. Marks if any are minimal and it appears to have a slightly weak strike. I dont see any wear.
I will guess 65.
As for provenance I won't even try.
She's a beauty.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
I hereby wish to state that I am not the previous owner.
If I were I would still be the owner.
NICE coin, Todd. As for your personal significance...Is she #100?
Look at the lighter areas on 1) Liberty's jaw; 2) upper bust (beneath her throat); 3) to the left of her hair curls; 4) to the left of (and beneath) her clasp.
See also, the upper wings of the eagle and its head.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
My initial impression was AU55.... Now seeing the post by @MFeld, I can see 53.... I have no idea on the other criteria. Cheers, RickO
I say AU53.
It just looked like a weak strike with toning to me, but could be wear. Always tough from photos and on my phone.
EDIT- No matter what it is it is a really nice coin.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
Sorry to hear two top members on the forums have some unresolved difference. They are known as true gentlemen.
My guess is that you misunderstood some humorous joking around.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
You're probably correct, yet it appears to be a misaligned die to me.
Otherwise, I'd go AU58 (bump for the dove gray/blue hard surfaces).
peacockcoins
Ok…Todd, inquiring minds want to know the answer….
Okay ... the natives are restless! @Herb_T is posting, and @gumby1234 is sending messages to my wall!!
First of all, the grade. PCGS said 55 back around 2009 if my numbers and Gen's are right, and then 55 again a couple years ago, and then NGC said 55.
Yep. I agree, and it's a nice 55 too!
For what it's worth the TrueVew makes it look less lustrous and somewhat "lifeless" than it is in hand, which is probably why many of you were suggesting 53. From that image alone, I would probably tend to agree.
No one guessed the pedigree. The second PCGS holder had the Overton number (O-105) and the provenance showing to Link (that's Dr. Charles "Chuck" Link, who posts occasionally on this board). I have messaged PCGS trying to see what we might be able to do to get her back into PCGS plastic and get those back on the holder.
Significance to me ... other than being my first 1808 non-overdate? @OKbustchaser guessed correctly (thank you to the posters who knew and didn't say). This was Die Marriage #100 for me, and sometime last night, before he disowned me @lkeigwin submitted my paperwork to the BHNC ... and lo and behold this morning I was moved from being an Associate Member to a full fledged 'Nut.
Finally, since it was mentioned by @basetsb and further noted (more correctly) by @braddick ; I have never seen an 1808 O-105 struck from properly aligned dies, and all have the same general misalignment, so I suspect this is is one of the telltale signs of the Die Marriage.
Thanks for all you comments!
“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
Not my area of expertise, but it's very attractive and I know these early dates are tough. I'll venture AU-55
Oh my goodness ☺️
Indeed a very special Bust @pursuitofliberty …… aside from the nominal cost She has earned her standing in so many ways.
Congratulations on you successful pursuit!
AU 50
Nice backstory Todd…thanks!
Congrats, Todd! Cool thread and stories. I especially enjoyed Lance's response!
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Going by this:
https://ebay.com/itm/372944960250?hash=item56d5407afa:g:jAcAAOSwwStclALD
That coin could be BU. MS60. The mint was just starting.
Sorry to diverge…but not that hard to find…here is one that was part of the Mohawk Valley Hoard!
Back to your originally scheduled programming!
Ohhhh …….. don’t loose a friend over coin even if it’s A coin
@Lance was joking.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Great accomplishment. Good to see you did it with one of my favorite dates. 1807 was my main one.
Congratulations.