Geeking out on Capped Bust Half Dime major varieties

Bikergeek

I did a deep dive into the four years of the capped bust half dimes that have "major varieties" in order to share some thoughts with a few folks. All capped bust half dimes have an "LM" number denoting die marriage (e.g., LM-1) or a marriage's REmarriage (e.g., LM-1.2) from the excellent Logan-McCloskey book Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837. For years 1829 through 1833, you know either the year by itself or the year and (re)marriage via the LM number.

For 1834, it gets more interesting, with a famous error called "3 over inverted 3" in the date. 1835 introduces four combinations of small or large dates with small or large 5c denominations. 1836 doesn't differentiate date sizes, but does have a small or large 5c, and it again sees a 3/inv3 error. And 1837 has small or large 5c denominations.

The four charts below don't tell the whole story. I looked at PCGS and Greysheet (CDN) id numbers and hierarchies, but didn't look at other TPGs. I also refer to LM numbers only, even though V (Valentine) numbers were the norm before the LM book came out in 1998. There are also "Breen" numbers that I've seen on ANACS holders. I believe that if you have a "V" or a "Breen" identified coin, it can be attributed to its LM name.

The rightmost things on these charts (Die Varieties) are specific, while the things on their left (Minor or Major Varieties) become more general. So I can say, if I have an 1836 LM-3, it IS a "3/inv 3" variety. But although it's currently the only instance of a 3/inv 3 for 1836, that's not necessarily always going to be true. (A dog is always a mammal, but not all mammals are dogs.)

I noticed a few things that PCGS may be interested in pondering:
1. PCGS catalogs 1834 3/inverted 3 as a die variety of the major variety "1834." LM-1 and LM-3 coins are also (rightly) die varieties. But perhaps it should be a minor variety?
2. In 1836, PCGS catalogs 1836 3/inverted 3 as a minor variety. The 1836 LM-3 is (rightly) a die variety - but it's a child of the minor variety.
3. Why doesn't the 1836 "minor variety" of 3/inv3 trace up to any "major variety?" 1836 LM-3 has a large 5c reverse - so it could trace up to 1836 "Large 5c." That would break if a new 1836 marriage were ever found, pairing the afflicted 1836 Obverse 2 with one of the Small 5c reverses. (Similar to the way 1835 has maj. vars. that describe both obverse and reverse - e.g., "Lg Dt / Lg 5c," there could be a maj var in 1836 called "3 over Inverted 3 / Lg 5c" and that would be future proof... anyone at Redbook here?)
4. Why is there a PCGS "major variety" of "Large 5c, Prooflike" with, as far as I can tell, only one coin in it? (Greysheet mirrors that, and seems to have one of these in 1835 too).

I sold an 1836 LM-4 to someone who needed an 1836 "Small 5c" recently. He was wondering why PCGS didn't put "Small 5c" on the slab (only LM-4). Fortunately, PCGS' systems understand that LM-4 is always a Small 5c variety. (A whale is always a mammal!) The charts below may help some folks with similar questions.

Last note: if you spot an error or typo, please correct me!

pursuitofliberty

Sean, Your geekiness is on full display! And with pretty nice layouts and explanations.

Hope to see you in Chicago this year!

You intermixing of miniature federal silver and mammals is somewhat interesting, and maybe a touch disturbing. I hope you discuss this with your therapist.

(A dog is always a mammal, but not all mammals are dogs.)

True, but nearly all male humans (which are all mammals) are also dogs! <woof!>

(A whale is always a mammal!)

Which explains why some humans (since all humans are mammals) behave like whales ... mostly in a suction feeding sense. And when they are coin collectors with deep pockets, we name them as such, for good reason.

Copperindian

Sean - geekiness aside, you’ve done such great work with these I think all the books have been rewritten! It’s one of the greatest collecting endeavors of all time & I can’t commend you enough for your dedication & accomplishment!
Ken

Bikergeek

@rnkmyer1 - I appreciate the kudos, but you are being MUCH too kind. I just collected information. The hardest part was getting the column titles to line up! :-) I will say: a good result has already come of it.

@pursuitofliberty - I'll be in Chi-town in August, but not for Central States. If you see any gorgeous (or scarce) capped bust half dimes at CS, please gimme a buzz! BTW, your comment on whales proves my central thesis: I'm a mammal, but decidedly NOT a whale. Just a geek who doesn't happen to currently have a wife to say "no." lol.

pursuitofliberty

Sean, August is the ANA in Chi-town ... sorry we'll miss this time ... but yeah, it you aren't there and I see something that would knock your socks off, I'll shoot you a text.