Capped Bust Half Dimes - are there keys or better dates?

Bikergeek

< snark alert >
The uninitiated may wonder, for this nine-year run of coins dated 1829 thru 1837, are there keys, semi-keys, or tough dates? We need look no further than the Bay for our answer:

</snark alert>

BillJones

So far as I know there are no rare dates, but there are many rare varieties. You need the book to spot them.

It took me a number of years to find the perfect one as a type coin. This is a PCGS MS-65, CAC. It was struck with fresh dies which I have found is not easy to locate.

Bikergeek

@BillJones that is a darn nice LM-2. And is indeed fresh, being that it's the first use of 1834 obverse 2 and the first use of Reverse W. But I'd set you a challenge: find the LM-2 without the filled second S in STATES, in similarly high grade. I think the upper loop filled early in the striking, as they almost always present with the filled S. But I've seen one in person with the unfilled S, when I photographed my friend JRCS323's set for my gallery. If you scroll down in this gallery page to the second of two 1834 LM-2s, the VF example there lacks the filled S. Kinda fun!

And yes, I've got a well-used copy of the book and my own cheatsheets to try to find the tough ones. I've cherrypicked a few, and for others I paid up (when the seller knew what they had). Part of the adventure.

BustDMs

Rare dates in CB half dimes???????

Well, I consider the 1837’s underrated but, as I’m getting older, I need more magnification! And, yes, bikergeek I am MUCH older than you are. That additional knowledge…….well I forget……it really must mean nothing.

Realistically I think it is a great series to collect by date and/or Redbook sets for the beginning collector to then discover the world of die marriages/remarriages. Not to mention the plethora of late die states available.

Sorry you could not make the IMEX show this year. Maybe we can have another half dime summit next year. There were numerous pieces hailing from Mr Halfdime’s collection as well as our friend from AK, Logan, Davis, McCloskey and even Reiver. Talk about numismatic royalty!

I even snagged a plate coin from the LM reference ex Logan.

Looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon!

Bikergeek

@BustDMs I was sorry to miss the festivities too! So - what plate coin didja get? If you want, please post it up on this thread (or send me the slab number if it's got images on the TPG's site, and I'll post it).
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1083076/lm-plate-coins-half-dimes-where-are-they-now

rhedden

My favorite is the last coin in the Ebay list: the 1838 Capped Bust Half Dime Semi-Key date. Now there's a rare Capped Bust H10c. I'd definitely call it a key with a certified population of 0 at both services.

Oh wait, it's an 1834.

The_Dinosaur_Man

My curiosity does ask if any dies were made for 1838.

The 1837 Small 5 C. is the closest to a key the limited series has, followed by the 1834 3 over inverted 3.

yosclimber

My curiosity does ask if any dies were made for 1838.

It seems unlikely, given that there were a lot of seated half dimes already made in 1837.

Bikergeek

As much as I love the earnestness with which you good people replied to this thread, and the thoughtful comments, I feel like I need to make clear my original point: this particular seller uses the phrase "semi key better date" without much apparent distinction. If they're ALL "better dates," then I submit that NONE are. But to illustrate that these guys are just phoning it in now (or have perhaps outsourced their eBay listings to an AI), see the below:

Caveat emptor!