A little artistic license on a Liberty Seated half dime
MrHalfDime
Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
I have seen many Liberty Seated coins which have been 're-engraved' to restore details that have been damaged, but I have never seen anything quite like this. Presumably some budding artist was attempting to restore original details of the design, but went over the top and decided to 'improve' upon Christian Gobrecht's original design.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1872-S-Seated-Liberty-Half-Dime-Very-Nice-6611_W0QQitemZ250198315775QQihZ015QQcategoryZ149930QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The 'artist' has created what appears to be two shields and two right thighs and legs for Miss Liberty, and has completely obliterated LIBERTY from the banner on the shield. The gown lines are somewhat unnatural, and Miss Liberty's right hand (on the shield) would make even Edward Scissorhands proud.
I see no mention of the obvious re-engraving in the lot description, just the now ubiquitous disclaimer "Grade it yourself". There is actually one bid on this coin, which I trust is from someone with a sense of humor. Mercifully, bidder's ID's are kept private.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1872-S-Seated-Liberty-Half-Dime-Very-Nice-6611_W0QQitemZ250198315775QQihZ015QQcategoryZ149930QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The 'artist' has created what appears to be two shields and two right thighs and legs for Miss Liberty, and has completely obliterated LIBERTY from the banner on the shield. The gown lines are somewhat unnatural, and Miss Liberty's right hand (on the shield) would make even Edward Scissorhands proud.
I see no mention of the obvious re-engraving in the lot description, just the now ubiquitous disclaimer "Grade it yourself". There is actually one bid on this coin, which I trust is from someone with a sense of humor. Mercifully, bidder's ID's are kept private.
They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
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Comments
Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.
Extremely Funny details
www.brunkauctions.com
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
TD
Ray
It's a tough decision, but I think I'm going to pass.
I just placed a bid on it- I was going to send it to you as a gift if I won it, since you seem to like the "custom work" on the half dime!
However, even after I upped my bid past the $5 threshold, I had still been outbid. Sorry.
-Randy Newman
I thank you for the thought, but I wouldn't recommend bidding it any higher. Whoever the high bidder is, I certainly hope that he is just buying it as a curiousity and not as a legitimate coin for his collection. It is hard for me to imagine that anyone could look at that obverse and not be aware that it has been 'modified'.