My Back Pages & Question About 1833 Bust Quarter

Varlis

Well, this came today, and completes the back page of my budget-minded bust quarter Dansco. A small accomplishment, I know, but still strangely satisfying.




My back page:

(sorry about the cruddy picture)

Now for the question: on the reverse of this coin, the arrows appear to be weakly or strangely struck. I know the pictures I have aren't the greatest, but I hope they show that the shafts are very faint, almost like outlines. Normally in this series the arrow-shafts are boldly struck. It may look from the pictures that someone has just scratched them down, but this is not the case; the coloring is just a little different there. So my question is: what gives? Has anybody ever seen this or know what's up?

SDCollector

Can't answer your question, but nice bust quarters. They look great in the Dansco. I bet they look even better in person...I think the white balance on your camera is off.

dorkkarl

my guess would be it was struck through moisture or grease or something at that area. that would explain the different metal texture.



<< <i>A small accomplishment, I know >>

don't belittle yourself! that's a GREAT accomplishment, because you had a goal, & have successfully achieved it. that is more than what most coin collectors can claim.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

K S

IrishMike

I really like those old circulated bust and seated liberty quarters. They are a lot of fun to collect and imagine where they have been. If only they could talk, eh? Now that is my definition of a "real set".

LanLord

The arrow shafts are a very shallow part of the design on these coins. If the die was ever clashed and had to be lapped to clear it up, the shaft would be the first part of the design to disappear. Additionally, if they needed to just clean up the die a little (polish it up), it too would have affected the arrow shafts.

Just my $.02 worth on your $.25

JrGMan2004

<< <i>The arrow shafts are a very shallow part of the design on these coins. If the die was ever clashed and had to be lapped to clear it up, the shaft would be the first part of the design to disappear. Additionally, if they needed to just clean up the die a little (polish it up), it too would have affected the arrow shafts.

Just my $.02 worth on your $.25 >>

That was my first thought too... the die was likely lapped... check the Reference book on it Varlis, check the other shallow parts of the design on the reverse, particularly the stems of the branch... often times, severe lapping, will cause floating berries

Varlis

Thanks for the thoughts and kind words. It makes sense what everyone is saying. George: what reference book are you thinking of? I checked my Browning/Breen, but there wasn't too much in there on this.

ps--yes, the pictures suck, but every time I shrink them down to upload, they turn out poorly.

Nysoto

I also think it is caused by lapping. There are several die marriages of bust halves that have arrow shafts lapped off in later die states. Note how the reverse legend has letters that are lower relief than would be expected for the amount of wear. When the face (fields) of the dies are lapped, all features are slightly lower in relief.

Congratulations, this is no small accomplishment, they are all nice coins to study and enjoy.

Bill

airplanenut

Congrats! Circ. silver is some of the best looking stuff out there

lordmarcovan

<< <i>My back page:
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Varlis

Thanks for the info!