Early Half Dollar Edge Lettering Errors
Piano1
Posts: 233 ✭✭✭
I may be going pretty far afield on this question, but can anyone share information on the frequency of incorrect edge lettering on early U.S. half dollars? I remember that one of my early type set half dollars had the lettering not properly aligned so the "50 cents or half a dollar" was not in proper order. I know that the edge lettering was "hand punched" at the mint but how common are errors? I don't remember which half-dollar in my collection had this error because all are certified so the rims can't be seen. (I wish I had written it down somewhere!)
I'm curious as to why this isn't a more well-known and collected error on early halves.
Thanks.
Piano1
1
Comments
The edge lettering was not hand punched. It was applied by a Castaing machine, which consisted of two parallel bars each with half of the lettering raised up so it would be incuse on the finished coin (essentially an "edge die"). The planchet would be fed between these dies before the coin was struck. Sometimes the blank would slip or be run through twice, resulting in the errors of which you speak.
MarkKelley, Excellent information and thank you for correcting me on my "hand punching" misunderstanding. Now, can I assume that these edge errors were fairly common, especially with the early mint equipment? Just curious but for some reason, this is really interesting to me.
Does anyone have access to any photos of this?
Many thanks.
Piano1
Agree with @MarkKelley that a Castaing machine was used to apply the edge letters and decorations. The type of jumbled edge lettering you are describing is not rare, though in my experience it isn't exactly common, either. For the benefit of all who might not know what a Castaing machine is or how one would use it, below is a YT linked video from the ANA-
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Thank you, TomB! That video beautifully demonstrates what MarkKelley was explaining. I have definitely learned something today. Thank you both, gentlemen!!!
Piano1
Overlapping letters and missing words, especially between the words OR and HALF, is very common. Doubled edge lettering, missing edge lettering, and other major errors are much less seen.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
@TomB.... Great video of the castaing machine/process.... will help many collectors understand the process. Cheers, RickO
Great question and and even better answer. Threads like this are the reason this forum is so important. Love it and thanks to all the members who go out of their way to answer questions like this. Keep up the great posts!
Mark
The early addition Overton book lists most of the known edge letter errors. Generally speaking minor overlapping and/or a few missing letters has almost no premium. Doubled edge lettering is moderately tough to find and brings a modest premiun of $100 to a few hundred in high grade. Triple edge lettering is very tough to find. One example in NGC AU58 brought a nice 1k premium. The most valuable are the half dozen or so plain edge pieces that never went through the Castaing machine. They are wroth roughly 6 to 10k depending on condition. The 1818 O-108 Overton variety has a rare small fraction with inverted edge letters from the edge lettering device having half the letters upside down. Those are very collectible and fun. Over the years I've collected 40+ different edge letter errors. So enjoy the hunt and by all means do appreciate the third die.
As GoBust stated, they are fun collectibles.
I have a few double edge lettering.
And each was cherried.
No one seems to look at the edge. Or they look and don't care.
BHNC #203
Good morning, everyone.
Thanks to everyone for your input on this thread. So I DID remember correctly that one of my type/slabbed bust half dollars did have "funny" edge lettering and I'm not nuts! GoBust, I have the Overton 3rd edition and I read the introductory material but found no mention of edge lettering errors. I guess I missed it. Would it be too much trouble to ask on which page it is located? Many thanks!!
Piano1
no edge lettering:
Double edge lettering:
Look in the back of the book for the Appendix. It follows the last 1836 die marriage. You'll see a section on edge types and edge errors.
It is not deep but covers the basics.
Lance.
GOBust, Lance and anyone interested in this thread, I did find the references mentioned by GoBust and Lance on edge lettering errors on Bust half Dollars. If you are interested in investigating, it begins on Page 616 and runs through 621 of Overton, Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, Third Edition, First printing. Interesting reading! I will never know which of my coins has an edge lettering error but this is very interesting to me. Wish I could see the edges of the coins that are in slabs!
Thanks again, GoBust, and Lance!
Piano1