Half dime enthusiasts: Can you advise on the variety on this coin?

bidask

Would really appreciate it if you have information as to a variety you think this coin exhibits, and why. Thanks.

MrHalfDime

Although it is sometimes difficult to attribute a coin from an image, because your images are sufficiently large and detailed, I believe that we can attribute your coin. There appears to be some surface problems with the plastic holder, but that should not interfere with the identification.

The most identifiable diagnostic on the obverse is the large die crack from the rim at K4, through star 13, and into the obverse field in front of Miss Liberty's knee. If we look for this diagnostic in the Valentine reference (The United States Half Dimes, Daniel W. Valentine; ANS, New York; 1931), for his V12 die marriage we see "...there is a die crack through the lowest right star". Those very familiar with the series will also note that for the V1 Small Star variety there is also a die crack through star 13, but your coin lacks some other diagnostics for the V1, so we can eliminate that possibility.

On the reverse, we can see a small die crack from the rim at K1, through the upright of F1 (F in OF), to the berry, and into the field. Again, comparing this with the Valentine V12 description we find "Crack runs through F of OF into wreath" (reverse die of V7). Thus, from a preliminary review of the Valentine reference, we can attribute your coin as a V12.

It is always dangerous to attempt to attribute a coin using die state information, such as die cracks and die breaks, because these are not always present on all examples of this die marriage. It is always more appropriate to use diagnostics on the dies which do not change with time, such as the relationships of date numerals to the dentils, or the star points relative to the dentils. Accordingly, as confirmation of this attribution, I have compiled the following data for the V12:

OBV: 1/SP, 8/DC, 3/DL, 8/SP. Large DC rim to *13. REV: DC rim - F1 - berries in wreath.

In my own shorthand form, this describes the relationships of the date numerals relative to the dentils below, read as: 1 centered over the space between dentils, 8 over the center of a dentil, 3 over the left side of a dentil, and 8 centered over the space between dentils. This data was derived from inspection of many confirmed examples of the V12, including seven (7) examples in my own reference collection. These coincide perfectly with your example. The die state diagnostics such as the die cracks merely confirm the attribution.

Valentine also mentions that star 1 (first star, lower left) is "defective" (his euphemism for a repunched star) on the V12. This is not immediately evident in your image, but perhaps it is visible with the coin in hand.

I have found the V12 to be readily available, although it observes the usual inverse relationship of grade vs. availability; the higher the grade the more scarce it becomes. Although I would not care to render a grade for your coin from an image, it is apparent that your coin is uncirculated, and therefore much scarcer than a circulated example.

I hope this helps.

bidask

Mr. Half Dime...I thank yiou very much for your informative reply. It is clear you are an expert on this series. Thanks again.....fyi this is a pcgs 66.