A tale of two 1809 Bust Halves

edmerlr

I purchased another 1809 O-102a today.

It was a duplicate for me. Why would I buy a duplicate?

(1) I am addicted to Bust Halves

(2) I bought it as an upgrade, but is it really an upgrade? (When I heard the price, I just COULDN'T say no.)

One of these I will be keeping. The other one I will be selling or trading away.

This is also indirectly a tale of two TPGS.

Below you will see an almost untoned coin on the left that I broke out of a NGC slab several years ago. It was graded AU-55. The coin has NO hairlines, but was obviously dipped at one time in the past. The past dipping was evidentally not a problem for the grader when it was slabbed.

The coin on the right is still in its ANACS holder - graded AU-55. Darkly toned (original?), but with a couple of bumps here and there.

Normally I have a preference for coins in one of the TPGS above over the other - you probably know which one I would prefer, that is, if you buy the slab and not the coin.

Also, I prefer the darker Busties. But I do not like Busties with dings. On the obverse of this coin something bothers me (maybe, I'm sure) with the toning shade difference between the lower part of left field and portrait's bust below. (Perhaps I'm being anal on this point.)

Which one would you keep and why?

(Note: the visual diameter difference is because one coin higher above the scanner's glass than the other.)



Area on obverse where the toning fades:



The two larger dings on the reverse:

Steve27

The lighter one looks dipped (i.e. too bright). Additionally, the "dings" on the reverse of the darker one look raised too me; thus, I wonder if they're actually die cracks or the result of clashed dies.

STONE

Definitely the darker one. Please send me the other one to dispose of

ttown

No question in my mind, keep the orginial darker one.

CoinAddict

I gotta go the the dark one.

RareBronzeCollector

Both lovely coins, but if I were to offered y choice of either, I would most likely take the darker coin..... It appears to have a more NATURAL look......

edmerlr

Steve 27:

The dings are incused into the field.

Ed

NumisOxide

Darker one, has more character.

DoubleEagle59

I prefer the darker one too.

Edscoin

It's all about EYE APPEAL!
I'd keep the darker one

lkenefic

Great details on both but I like the darker of the two...I think the "dings" while there, aren't at all detracting...L

Leonidas

I think the lighter one is worth more because of the Overton # and Rarity ?

SomeGuyFromMichigan

Ed
Keep the darker of the two!
It's more original.
Shiney isn't better on a nearly 200 year old coin.
Hey they're both 55's too
On paper it's not an upgrade.

zap1111

Ed

The darker one has true character, including the little digs. I always find the dipped coins to be sterile and less inviting.

zap

Myqqy

I have to go with the crowd- I don't like white bust halves, and the one in the ngc slab is no exception.

JRocco

Hey Ed,
The fever has its grip on you for sure.
I will agree with most here in that the toned piece has more appeal.
I usually store my raw CBH's in envelopes and dipped pieces can re-tone irregularly in envelopes, so
I would prefer the more stable coin surface over the dipped coin.
Just my opinion

mozin

The dark toning does a decent job of covering the dings. I vote to keep the dark coin.

fishteeth

I also agree to keep the dark looking 1809. Without seeing the dipped out 1809 its hard to determine a value.
For me value is all about eye appeal. I will buy a dark EF before a dipped AU. Now there are many collectors who will do the opposite.