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A tale of two 1814 Single Leaf Bust Halves
edmerlr
Posts: 563 ✭
Well, I did it to myself again.
What did I do? I carry with me to a coin show a neatly typed list of my Bust Half inventory. On the list I carefully have typed the year, the Overton Number and the rarity. Also typed down is the grade of my current set piece.
...but what I do NOT put on my list are key words that describe the existing coin in my collection. i.e., "original," "hairlined," "slightly dipped," etc. I need to. I simply cannot remember the exact condition of EVERY coin in my collection. When will I learn? (This is a "hint," if you carry your inventory list with you to the shows.)
I found an 1814 O-105a Single Leaf at the Santa Clara show. The coin was graded AU-50. The coin has been obviously lightly dipped and a couple of faint hairlines are on the obverse.
(The Bust Half Nut Club has rarity rated this coin as a R4 [not to be confused with R4- or R4+], meaning that 121 to 160 specimens are thought to exist. This die state is difficult to find in AU-50 or higher.)
I look at my inventory list. My current set piece is marked down as an EF-40. ...but what is the condition of my set piece? I cannot remember. I look at my wife and say, "I like the price of the AU-50, but it has problems. I don't remember if the condition is worse or better than my set piece. I am going to gamble and buy the coin."
I get home and compare the two coins. Their conditions are almost identical. My set piece is a lower grade, but it has retoned more after its dipping.
The seller of my "new" AU-50 described the coin as follows: "Great detail. Well-struck for the variety. Cleaned and now lightly retoned. Gold surfaces are slightly dull from the cleaning."
This also describes my "old" EF-40 set piece. The only difference is that my set piece has retoned more.
My scans do not show the coins' real "color." If a white untoned coin is a "0" and if a mid gray coin is a "5", then the "new" coin is a "3" and the "old" coin is a "3-3/4"
Which one to keep and which one do I sell? I believe the answer is a NO-BRAINER, but I ALWAYS value the comments and opinions of others.
A SIDE-NOTE on the left wing of my "old" coin: I believe the left wing flatness is a combination of circulation wear AND a flat strike.
IMPORTANT COMMENT: The coins are closer together in "color" than the scans imply.
What are your thoughts and opinions?
Here are the coins. The "new one" was scanned on green felt:
Old Coin:
*************
New Coin:
DUE TO THE INCOMPETENCE OF THIS TYPIST, the poll for my questions is on a DIFFERENT Forum thread.
Please look for the poll and place your vote.
Thank you,
Ed R.
What did I do? I carry with me to a coin show a neatly typed list of my Bust Half inventory. On the list I carefully have typed the year, the Overton Number and the rarity. Also typed down is the grade of my current set piece.
...but what I do NOT put on my list are key words that describe the existing coin in my collection. i.e., "original," "hairlined," "slightly dipped," etc. I need to. I simply cannot remember the exact condition of EVERY coin in my collection. When will I learn? (This is a "hint," if you carry your inventory list with you to the shows.)
I found an 1814 O-105a Single Leaf at the Santa Clara show. The coin was graded AU-50. The coin has been obviously lightly dipped and a couple of faint hairlines are on the obverse.
(The Bust Half Nut Club has rarity rated this coin as a R4 [not to be confused with R4- or R4+], meaning that 121 to 160 specimens are thought to exist. This die state is difficult to find in AU-50 or higher.)
I look at my inventory list. My current set piece is marked down as an EF-40. ...but what is the condition of my set piece? I cannot remember. I look at my wife and say, "I like the price of the AU-50, but it has problems. I don't remember if the condition is worse or better than my set piece. I am going to gamble and buy the coin."
I get home and compare the two coins. Their conditions are almost identical. My set piece is a lower grade, but it has retoned more after its dipping.
The seller of my "new" AU-50 described the coin as follows: "Great detail. Well-struck for the variety. Cleaned and now lightly retoned. Gold surfaces are slightly dull from the cleaning."
This also describes my "old" EF-40 set piece. The only difference is that my set piece has retoned more.
My scans do not show the coins' real "color." If a white untoned coin is a "0" and if a mid gray coin is a "5", then the "new" coin is a "3" and the "old" coin is a "3-3/4"
Which one to keep and which one do I sell? I believe the answer is a NO-BRAINER, but I ALWAYS value the comments and opinions of others.
A SIDE-NOTE on the left wing of my "old" coin: I believe the left wing flatness is a combination of circulation wear AND a flat strike.
IMPORTANT COMMENT: The coins are closer together in "color" than the scans imply.
What are your thoughts and opinions?
Here are the coins. The "new one" was scanned on green felt:
Old Coin:
*************
New Coin:
DUE TO THE INCOMPETENCE OF THIS TYPIST, the poll for my questions is on a DIFFERENT Forum thread.
Please look for the poll and place your vote.
Thank you,
Ed R.
0
Comments
greg
www.brunkauctions.com
<< <i>coin on the bottom is nicer.....check the feather detail on the wing (rev) >>
Premium Numismatics, Inc.
myurl
800-596-COIN
It's either a scratch or a planchet flaw, I am not positive which.
I would guess 75% chance for a scratch. 25% for the flaw.
********
prenum:
As usual, another of your coins to drool over. I need a bib when I look at your coins.
(How about BOTH my Single Leaves for your ONE Single Leaf? ...just joking.)
Ed
Keep the new Single Leaf, or sell both, and buy a better one.
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Prenum,
Beautiful toning on your coin, but the planchet error on the reverse upper left is not so nice. Since the coin is in a PCGS holder, I must assume this defect is not parallel line scratches. The 1814 date is well beyond the time when the mint stopped putting "adjustment marks" on Bust Half Dollars.
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Here is my 1814 Single Leaf, only one I was ever able to own. The scanner does not show its considerable luster. It will be one of the last Bust Half Dollars I will ever sell.
<< <i>Two thumbs way up for Mozin's specimen!!!!! >>
Welcome back. Hope you had a great time at the show.
I wish I were there with you.
I would also opt for the newer coin.
As for Mozin's coin....boy-I wish coins like that were available to me
as that is a no brainer awesome coin.
Then it also represents 2.8% of the population of this R-4 die state.
It may also represent half of the AU graded populus.
Or maybe $7500.- $10,000.-
You were smart to grab up that coin! Even with the minor "issues" it's a strong coin.
The degree to which the ear bars appear on the 4 examples shown here is interesting to consider.
zap
102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
BHNC #198
I think I got this one last year. Haven't seen it recently though.
Number 2 is my pick. Die state is about the same. I see more detail in the hair curls of Miss Liberty and less wear. Reverse shows good detail in the Eagle's wing (your left) and arrowheads show shaft detail on #2 much better. So, #2 - and storage in a kraft envelope for awhile should bring back some character. Nice lady!
Edgar
P.S. Some pretty Single Leaf's showing up on this thread.