Half Dime Varieties

tmot99

Can anyone help with half dime varieties? Maybe a good reference book? First, I am starting to build a MS set so it would be a good source of info to have on hand. Second, I have an 1839 that I just bought. It has a repunched "39" as listed in Breens. However, it looks like there is also something with the "8" and there is no mention of it in Breens. It almost looks like there could be a "9" under the 8.

Sorry I don't have pictures yet. I will try to post a picture tonight.

ms70

Here's some links to start you off. I'm not sure if they will cover what you're looking for......

CoinFacts.com

Varieties Reference

lathmach

There's the Valentine book, originally published in 1931. "The United States Half Dimes"; now published by Sanford Durst. This is the original reference, but out of date now.
Then there's Al Blythe's "The Complete Guide To Liberty Seated Half Dimes", Published by DLRC; which is anything but a complete guide to the half dimes. Little more than a look at Al's collection. A weak effort but better than nothing.
A very knowledgeable half dime collector in Maine (Stephen Crain)told me he might to do a book on these a few years ago, but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm sure he'll put out a good work though, if he does do one.
For now, a good idea is The Gobrecht Journal Collective Volumes 1 thru 4 which are available now, and volume 5 which is being printed, along with the above 2 books.
Oh, by the way........this 1839/39 variety is common. And....don't put any stock in what you read in Breen. There's a lot of mistakes in his book.

Ray