bust coins

Topdollarpaid

Bust dollars weigh 26.96 grams so it says in the books.

Is there a window for variance in weight?

lordmarcovan

I'm sure there is some variance in weight (after all, they weight-adjusted the planchets with a file, fer cryin' out loud). However, I don't know how much variance.

FC57Coins

According to Coinfacts there was - which stands to reason

1795 SILVER DOLLAR -
DRAPED BUST
(see 1795 Silver Dollar - Flowing Hair)
Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 42,738
Proofs: none

Designer: Obverse by Robert Scot, reverse by John Eckstein

Diameter: ±39-40 millimeters

Metal content:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%

Weight: ±416 grains (±27.0 grams)

Edge: Lettered - HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT (various ornaments between words)

Mintmark: None (all dates of this type were struck at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

I think they have the finess wrong though - weren't these coins 89.2% silver?

XpipedreamR

Why do you ask? Do you have one that differs from that mass?

lordmarcovan

<< <i>I think they have the finess wrong though - weren't these coins 89.2% silver? >>



You're right. But they were probably just rounding up to the nearest percentage point.

Topdollarpaid

Yes I have a 1798 Bust dollar, it is on its way to be certifed.

I showed it to 3 dealers before I bought it. They all said it is real. However my scale shows it to be almost 1 Gram under weight.
I have not had much experience with bust dollars.

All the books say 26.96 grams but I now there is a +/- tolerance.
I will probly have the anwser mid week.
I was just wondering if any body had the info.
Thanks Randy

razorface1027

"bust coins"...Yeah, everytime I get a whim to purchase COINS it puts me in a position whereas I'm financially BUSTed...

Placid

Placid

"I've seen in person the 1799 version of this coin, which weighs 26.7g. This is close to the correct weight of 27.0g but not close enough".


Counterfiet Bust dollars.

Conder101

<< <i><< I think they have the finess wrong though - weren't these coins 89.2% silver? >>

You're right. But they were probably just rounding up to the nearest percentage point. >>



No the legal fineness WAS .892 fine but the early dollars like the 1795 were struck at the illegal 900 fine standard.



<< <i>Weight: ±416 grains (±27.0 grams) >>


Now THAT is a typo error. Since the coin was defined as weighing 416 grains, ±416 grains would mean that they could weigh anywhere between o and 832 grains (0 to 54 grams!)

They did have a tolerance allowance but it wasn't specified by law until 1837. At that time it was .097 grams or 1.5 grains so it should weigh between 26.859 and 27.053 grams. (The coinfacts was rounded to 27 grams but it was actually supposed to be 26.956 grams.

pmh1nic

Any guess as to how much metal (weight) is lost in going from MS to say Fine?

EVillageProwler

Folks,

I believe only the 1794 dollars were deliberately struck with the wrong fineness (.900). And, don't forget to adjust the variance for wear.

EVP

Topdollarpaid

well I sent the coin in question to NGC and they have labled it EVN Damage, I am glad to have it labled this way and not Counterfiet.
Its a very nice XF45 coin. Shows well

Conder101

<< <i>I believe only the 1794 dollars were deliberately struck with the wrong fineness (.900). >>


No, all of the silver coinage issued during Rittenhouse's Directorship were issued at the illegal fineness. The legal purity was restored by Director de Saussure after he came into the office in July of 1795. The half dime, half dollar, and dollar were all produced with 900 fine siver.