1849/8 Seated Half dime - FS-303, 9 over so-called 8
Manorcourtman
Posts: 8,175 ✭✭✭✭✭
The 1849/6, 1849/8 Seated half dime is a hotly debated variety dating back to the days of Breen. I just rec'd my grade today on this one. It's quite different than the FS-301 and FS-302 in that the date mostly touches the base. A FS-303 variety has not been graded by PCGS and NGC calls it VP-001 with one graded at AU55. I sent mine to CAC because I wasn't sure PCGS would grade and attribute it as a FS-303, since they have not graded one. CAC graded it MS63, and attributed it correctly as FS-303, 9 over so-called 8 as per the Cherrypickers guide example.
Steve Crain notes: 1849/8 V1, sometimes listed as 1849/8/6; Breen 3052. Identified by high date, with 184 touching base, 9 slightly below. Top loop of first 8 seen inside and on top of upper loop of 8. Diagonal of first 4 seen inside final 4. Underdigit 8 (?) seen inside b
Here she is along with a glamour shot:
Comments
Nice coin! It's more than just 9 over so-called 8. You can see evidence of under-digits 8, 4, and probably 6 on decent examples like yours. Mine is just a PCGS XF45 CAC, but still shows them pretty well.
Collector of Liberty Seated Half Dimes, including die pairs and die states
Nice coin! How much is it worth?
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
Yet another 1849/846. There is no 8.
Might not matter, the variety could be an inverted 9 rather than a 6. I do love the coin in the OP, congrats on the submission!
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
Cool coin 🪙
Nice 1849 V-1.
Your coin is tied for 3rd on the V-1 Roster with 2 other MS-63s.
Top is a MS-65+ and second is a MS-64.
https://sites.google.com/view/clintcummins/half-dime-attribution-guide
I did not realize that FS are now calling it FS-303.
It's sad they are reverting to using '8' again, even if labelled 'so called 8'.
I thought they had corrected their errant ways.
It's no longer a "hot" debate. The under digit is a 6 (not 8 or inverted 9).
Steve's database notes are out of date, and this was settled in a Gobrecht Journal article in 1999,
where Mark Sheldon showed that the under digits match the shapes in the 1846 date punch.
Grading companies added to the confusion until a few years ago.
And it looks like we have a new cycle of confusion starting again....
You can read more about it in this thread with photos:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1023621/the-revised-1849-6-half-dime-varieties-9-16-update
Here is the 1999 Gobrecht Journal article.
The shapes of the 4 and 6 in 1846 are quite distinctive and recognizable as the under digits in 1849.
The debate continues! Thanks for the input. I defer to the experts here. A very cool variety nonetheless.
Thank you @yosclimber for the info.
Never collected SLHDimes, but own a few and recently acquired this 1849/6 FS302(my thoughts) LSHDime. Cannot find very many sales at all for coins below VF in grade. Would this coin be worth having graded(even with a free voucher)? Just curious. Only bought it for the overdate.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
That's quite a nice 1849 V-2, with the "Far 6" under digit quite boldly visible in the field.
Most of them do not have the under digit so visible and are usually attributed from the date position and reverse cracks.
(Yours has the confirming crack through UN to wreath quite visible).
I have never had a coin slabbed, so I don't have the experience to advise on whether you should do that.
I think the main value of the coin is shown in your photo.
The fact that it has a bold under digit won't show up on the label of the slab.
Nice early, strong die state. Keep it free of obstructing plastic.
I would have it slabbed but would send it to VSS, Variety Slabbing Service, to have the variety identified. VSS only charges $6 dollars to add a sticker that does the same job spending $60 dollars does to have the TPG do it. James
I don't do Seated coins, but I wanted to tip my hat to @Manorcourtman for an interesting thread - and recognize @yosclimber for his generous and practical posts! As always, Yos puts up content worth reading - all meat, no cereal filler - and it's stuff like this that makes this board so valuable.
My (infrequently updated) hobby website Groovycoins.com
I find it strange that CAC Grading is still using the misattribution. I have one of those reidentifed 1846/8 (into 1849 over wide 6), but I'm hanging on to the holder for sentimental reasons.
Im away from my collection at the time, but here is the CAC Registry snapshot.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...