Do you think these two 1796 bust dollars are the same coin? ANSWERED

ER · December 13, 2004 5:41AM

They are not mine, BTW. Thanks for your opinions. I am 99% certain that they are the same.

Coin#1

Coin#2

Oney · December 13, 2004 5:49AM

I would say they are the same coin. The high areas of wear are nearly identicle. I say nearly becase with a little "photoshop" magic you can lighten areas for greater clarity. I see spots in both coins in the same areas as well. I would say, 99% sure, they are the same coin.

dthigpen · December 13, 2004 5:49AM

Before and after restoration?

coinguy1 · December 13, 2004 5:51AM

ER, yes, I think they are the same coin, despite the fact that a few of the stars (#'s 4 through 8) appear to be better struck on the top example. I will attribute that to a difference in color/lighting.

Russ · December 13, 2004 5:53AM

No doubt.

Russ, NCNE

CharlesDarwin · December 13, 2004 5:57AM

I don't know if all 1796 Bust Dollars exhibit this...but look at the lamination cud on the "I" in AMERICA.

itsnotjustme · December 13, 2004 5:58AM

Same coin, 99% certain.

Barry · December 13, 2004 6:00AM

yes

mgoodm3 · December 13, 2004 6:00AM

Looks the same.

TUMUSS · December 13, 2004 6:04AM

Yep

JadeRareCoin · December 13, 2004 6:06AM

99.9% positive that they are the same coin. Did the grade change from holder to holder? I would guess that the lower image is how the coin currently looks. Just a guess.

Regulated · December 13, 2004 6:07AM

Undoubtedly the same - the pair of nicks on the neck and the small nick by star 14 are the most obvious clues.

DoctorPaper · December 13, 2004 6:09AM

Same coin. I think the clincher is the two short horizontal marks on the neck below the ear on the obverse of both coins....

csw · December 13, 2004 6:17AM

For me the most obvious indicium that they are the same is the very pronounced and distinctive mark directly below the "TA" in "STATES" on the reverse.
-c-

stman · December 13, 2004 6:24AM

<< <i>I don't know if all 1796 Bust Dollars exhibit this...but look at the lamination cud on the "I" in AMERICA. >>

I believe this is a diagnostic for the die-variety. BB-65 B-05. If I'm wrong I'm sure I'll be corrected real quick.

ER · December 13, 2004 6:28AM

Thanks, guys.
Here 's the story. First, it 's a 1796 large date small letters, B-5 BB-65, with the that diagnostic die lump between I and C in AMERICA. Coin#2, I did have a chance to examine in person before the Heritage Pittsburgh ANA Sale this August (Lot#6319); it was PCGS AU53 OGH, but I really thought it could be a 55, it just looked too good. All the Heritage graders thought the same; they even thought outside shot at 58. I was the internet high bidder, 20K if I remember correctly, and really thought I was going to get it. But, I was blown away when floor bidding started, and it ended up sold for $27,600.

Apparently, others thought upgrade also.
Well, it is now Coin#1, PCGS AU50

new blue holder, currently in Superior Galleries' inventory, for $35,000. Apparently, the crack-out gamble results in a downgrade. What 's interesting is Superior 's site listed it as PCGS AU55. Maybe they were expecting an upgrade, but forgot to change the description, even after the result came back as 50? $35K for this, I don 't think so.