anybody collect early,middle.late die states?
librtyhead
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inquiring minds want to know(using the same type coin)
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<< <i>do you just get say ms-64 coins (pcgs) then look for the different die states? >>
MS-64 bust half dimes are prohibitively expensive for most people (they'll run about $1,000 each). Also, while there are a number of mint state examples of the 1832 LM-5/V8 die marriage available, it is a much easier task to assemble examples of different die states with lightly to moderately circulated coins. So instead of spending a grand per coin, Cladiator can buy choice AU examples for less than $300 (less than $250 in most cases) and find nice XF examples for around a hundred. With flexibility in the grade of the coin, you really have the opportunity to find all of the "book" die states (Valentine described the V8, V8a, V8b, and V8c) plus you should be able to demonstrate some die states in between. I think Cladiator has posted pictures of some of these coins previously. His small hoard of 1832 LM-5/V8 half dimes has all the makings of a prize-winning coin club or coin show display IMO.
Bill
As my good friends Cladiator and Barndog have so eloquently stated, Yes!!, some of us do. Collecting by die state, for many, is a natural progression from simple date collecting. Staying with the Capped Bust half dime example (an excellent choice, by the way), one might begin by assembling a simple date set of all nine (9) dates 1829 - 1837. None of these dates are rare or difficult to locate in any grade, so completion will not take long. Assuming that such an endeavor merely whets the appetite, and the collector wishes to continue with the series, a natural progression might then entail assembling a "Red Book" collection of 14 'major varieties', including the various large and small dates, and large and small 5C examples. None of these 'varieties' is particularly difficult to locate, either, so this collection is also attainable. The next step might then be to acquire a copy of "Federal Half Dimes 1792 - 1837" by Russell Logan and John McCloskey, and begin the very difficult task of acquiring examples of all 91 die marriages for the series. This has only been accomplished four times in history, and there are presently just three 'complete' collections, with examples of all 91 die marriages. Along the way, it is impossible not to become smitten by the 'Bust Fever', a little understood malady for which there is no known cure. Symptoms include a near passion for die states of all the marriages, both early and late. Perfect dies, with no evidence of die cracks, cuds, or other anomolies are actively sought, as are late and terminal die states, where the dies are sometimes so badly shattered and cracked, one wonders how any coins might have been struck from them.
In a perfect world, one might seek examples of these die states in MS-64 grade, as was suggested by the initiator of this thread. Indeed, someone might be attempting that as we speak. But one of the fortunate curiosities of this hobby is that examples do not need to be in such pristine condition to identify, attribute or to fully appreciate them. Many/most collectors of the early Federal coins would actually prefer examples that have seen a bit of circulation, and served their purpose as a medium of exchange, to pristine, brilliant and flashy coins.
While I chose to use the half dimes as an example, the same could be done with any series of interest. The recently auctioned Jules Reiver collection was the foremost example of a die marriage/ die state collection, virtually complete in all the early denominations. Certainly not all of Jules' coins were in the highest grades, a point belabored far too long by many members of this forum who do not understand die marriage and die state collecting, and the fact that many die states simply do not exist in the highest grades. The majority of bidders in that sale, myself included, absolutely rejoiced at the opportunity to bid on "less than perfect" examples of extremely rare die states, even in their forboding NCS slabs, with their ominous warnings of "Improperly Cleaned" and other such dribble. Those plastic encasements, along with their menacing inserts, have been dutifully discarded with the daily trash, and the beautiful coins they contained have been included in other collections by appreciative collectors and students.
I recall once several years ago that Jules Reiver showed me a fascinating die state progression that he had assembled. It comprised fully 60 examples of the 1855 "Knob on Ear" Large Cent, each in slightly different die state, ranging from a 'perfect' die with no crumbling at the ear, to examples with a virtual pyramid growing out of Miss Liberty's ear, prompting Jules to state "They could never stack those coins, could they?". Why do people do such things? I'm sure I cannot give a rational answer. I'm not sure there is one. But assembling a die state progression like that can provide the collector with great challenges and enormous satisfaction. What more could one ask?
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