Any interest in an easy to use large size bust quarter variety guide?
Bustquarterhound
Posts: 164 ✭✭✭
Been considering writing a guide that's easy to use and understand to identify the different die varieties of the large size bust quarters from 1796-1828. Jules Reiver wrote one that was good but, had to much unnecessary information. Been exclusively collecting large sized bust quarters since 1984 and there's an easier way. If there's enough interest I'll give it a try. Thanks for your thoughts. Dave
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Ummm, maybe check out Steve Tompkin's reference?
Early United States Quarters 1796-1838 (published 2008).
That is probably the definitive reference now, and it is an excellent reference, IMO
“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 feel like quarters has the most references available already. You have Brea etc and Tompkins that are very applicable today with more that can be used. Quarters don't have an online reference site though, that could be an opportunity.
"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
I would support your effort and am interested.
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
There is an online guide to the major attributes of the small size bust quarters (1831-1838):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/small-capped-bust-quarter-major-varieties.253661/
My intention is not to replace the excellent definitive works Tompkins or Karoleff,Rea Peterson etc. My thoughts were to Create a small (and light) pocket sized manual that would be easy to carry around a show etc. Thanks. Dave
One option is to create a PDF file which has your reduced content. People could have it on their smartphone and then the added weight and size are zero.
I use PDFs for my seated half dime attribution guide - one PDF for each date - mint mark.
There is also one for the "Top 100":
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1035720/top-100-seated-half-dime-varieties-list-and-112-page-pdf
Ah don't forget Robert Powers as well. 3 up to date references.
The small attribution guide for the bust dimes I love. Spiral bound, easy to use, and much less cushion and factoid information. If there was a small spiral bound, simple comparison quarter reference, I would buy that 100%. Like this:
https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,fit=scale-down,height=800,width=800/6027503/uploads/editor/8f/mohaecdeo7ns.jpeg
"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
What material would you exclude to make the manual small?
Clearly you would leave out the die pairs for the small size 1831-1838.
But for the 1796-1828, would you still have one page for each known die pair? (60 die pairs, including the 1827s).
Or would you leave some die pairs out?
Will you have die state photos? Will they all fit onto one page for each die pair?
I imagine you would leave out rosters of the top specimens, but retain a "known count" or rarity rating by some grade range.
My intention is not to replace the large detailed books. I would just explain how I identify each variety . Example for 1805 Rev. Look for a missing dentil above E in states if missing its a B-2 or B-3. Then obv. If the 5 in date touchs the bust it's a B-2 Ir it doesn't it's a B-3 .If no missing dental above E does the C in denomination touch the tail feathers? If it doesn't it's a B-1 R-5. Is the C in denomination inbedded into the tail feathers and there's no gap in the dentils above I in America it's a B-4 .if there's a gap in the dentils above I in America it's a B-5 rarest variety of the year. That's basically the idea for all additional information refer to the big books Thanks Dave
I like this type of attribution guide.
It is essentially a flow chart or decision tree, where the key "pickup points" determine which branch to take.
In my seated half dime guides, I have a similar partial tree written as a numbered list which I call "Attribution Hints".
I develop each tree when I go through the process of attributing all the auction photos.
One potential weakness of a decision tree happens in lower grade coins if the key pickup points are too worn to show the feature. So it is nice to have an alternative tree to handle this. But maybe this situation would simply be handled by the Tompkins or other complete book. And of course at some low grade, attribution is no longer possible, and eventually even the date cannot be read or determined.
I got the second book and glad I did
(I dont get their price thou?)