Question on the 1836 Bust Half
Tootawl
Posts: 5,877 ✭✭✭
While searching for an 1836 reeded edge bust half, I've noticed hardly anyone displays in auctions whether an 1836 bust half is reeded or lettered edge. Besides looking at the edge, is there any indictaion on the obverse or reverse whether it is lettered or reeded edge?
PCGS Currency: HOF 2013, Best Low Ball Set 2009-2014, 2016, 2018. Appreciation Award 2015, Best Showcase 2018, Numerous others.
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This makes finding one alot easier when they don;t mention which type they are selling.
the reason that ads usually don't differentiate between RE and LE on the 1836's is because there aren't that many RE's out there for that year with an alleged mintage of 1200 pieces......
You will know really quick if it is a RE piece when you see the price is extremely high.
If you just need the "type" piece, grab an 1837 and save yourself a decimal place or 2.
I'm really hung up on first & last year thing.
<< <i>If I grab anything besides a '36, it will be a '39 since it was the last year issued.
I'm really hung up on first & last year thing. >>
Maybe think about getting the 1839-O RE Half Dollar. It's more expensive than the 37-39 (P) RE coins but no where near the price of the 36 RE. IMO, it's a very cool coin being the one and only branch mint Capped Bust Coin ever produced.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>most view the 1836 reeded edge and the 1837 as one type, and the 1838 - 1839 as another type. >>
I agree with Baley here 100%
Buy the 36 RE if you want it for what it is-- but be prepared to pay for it.
<< <i>with an alleged mintage of 1200 pieces...... >>
This was one of Breen's SWAGs. The official mintage for all 1836 halves was reported as x,xxx,200, and Breen surmised that of that number, 1,200 may have been of the reeded edge design. Time and the internet have shown that this issue is likely more common and somewhere (?) I read another author's opinion that 4,200 is a more likely number. Neither number may be correct, and we will likely never know for certain the correct mintage.
<< <i>IMO, it's a very cool coin being the one and only branch mint Capped Bust Coin ever produced. >>
I agree with the first part of your statement. Don't forget the limited issue 1838-O half dollar. That coin is slightly more pricy.
<< <i>most view the 1836 reeded edge and the 1837 as one type, and the 1838 - 1839 as another type. >>
In the 7070 book, there's only one hole for a Bust RE half so I get to pick.
<< <i>I agree with the first part of your statement. Don't forget the limited issue 1838-O half dollar. That coin is slightly more pricy. >>
Slightly?
Let me rephrase and say that the 39-O is the only realistically attainable branch mint Capped Bust coin.
Here is a small article I found at Heritage talking about the 38-O for those of you not familiar with it...
"The New Orleans Mint had not been long in operation when this great rarity was struck," explained Heritage cataloger Mark Borckardt. "The Mint had been established by legislation dated March 3, 1835, along with branch mints in Charlotte and Dahlonega. The original Mint Act specified that the New Orleans branch was to strike "coinage of gold and silver," and to that end, for "purchasing sites, erecting suitable buildings, and completing the necessary combinations of machinery," $200,000 was appropriated. The legislation further stipulated that the Superintendent of the New Orleans Mint was to receive a salary of $2,500."
The New Orleans Mint was ready for operations by 1838, but there were considerable problems with press breakage, and it is generally accepted that only half dimes and dimes were struck during 1838 -- with some thought that even the half dimes took through 1839. Although half dollar dies were received in New Orleans during 1838, the 1838-O half dollars weren't actually minted until early 1839. Walter Breen suggested that the halves were coined in January, while R.W. Julian believed that they were not minted until March. In either case, there is 19th century evidence that the total production mintage was limited to approximately 20 coins: a handwritten note stating that Rufus Tyler, Coiner of the New Orleans branch mint, struck "not more than 20 pieces." It is known that the 1838-O obverse dies were defaced in June 1839, limiting the time of production to no later than that month.
"Considering the problems that the New Orleans coiners were having," continued Borckardt, "there is some logic to the suggestion that the coins were produced to test the set-up of the press for larger coins. Dies for 1839 Half Dollars had already been received, but it makes sense that Rufus Tyler used the earlier dated dies to test the new press, for fear of breaking the newer 1839 dies. Coinage of the 1839-O half dollars began in early April, thus accounting for Julian's belief that the 1838-O half dollars were coined in March.
This 1838-O Branch Mint proof is known as the Baldenhofer Specimen, and its illustrious pedigree includes: Col. E.H.R. Green; W.G. Baldenhofer (Stack's, 11/1955), lot 708; Robert Pelletreau (Stack's, 3/1959), lot 782; Jerome L. Cohen; Lester Merkin; Q. David Bowers; Charles Jay (Stack's, 10/1967), lot 181; Dr. E. Yale Clarke (Stack's, 10/1975), lot 253; Julian Leidman; NASCA (Bryan Collection, 11/1977), lot 708; Julian Leidman; Paramount (Auction '82), lot 1689; unknown. It has been certified by PCGS as PR64 BM, with the "BM" designation for "Branch Mint."
"This half dollar issue ranks among the most famous of all American coinage rarities," concluded Rohan. "Its inclusion in a collection enshrines the owner among the highest ranks of American numismatics."