If there is no supporting documentation, it's hard to call a coin a proof. In a way, though, it makes little difference. A coin that is clearly superior to its peers and was obviously carefully handled since its minting a long time ago is indeed special and merits the special consideration and valuation afforded a true proof anyway. Give it any label, but it's really a great coin. That dime, proof or prooflike, is incredible. Hopefully someone will be able to identify the obverse die used. (The only 1876 dime I have...or had since it was sold a little bit ago...was a Breen-3399 and the obverse obviously could not match that one.)
There's nothing wrong with prooflikes. I actually prefer them to proofs. One I am especially fond of is the 1878 VAM-9 Morgan. Now there is a coin with history. Can't put a roll of them together and they represent either those first dozen struck and documented as pretty much specimens or the handful that followed, all the first miniscule sample of oh so many millions of the popular series that followed.
Gread thread anyway. The off-metal dime strikes were particularly interesting.
The best recommendation is to read it online, if it is still posted.
It wouldn't be acceptable to post it on this site.
Edited to add a correction about an earlier post -
The undated Rufus Tyler paper (last seen in 1894 and no longer seen in numismatic channels) to "President Bache" was correctly addressed at the time. Bache had been appointed President of Girard College after he returned in 1838 from 2 years overseas studying about schools for the poor and orphaned children. Tyler's note would tend to confirm that the 1838-O halves were struck in 1839, perhaps as test pieces (using the outdated dies) to try out the equipment.
Another correction about the example offered in the June 7,1894 Freisner sale by Ed Frossard, lot 583, would be that it was not an "unimpaired Proof" as seen in Breen's write up in his Proof Encyclopedia, p.234. The actual lot description is as follows: "1838. Draped and turbaned bust of Liberty faces to the left, O over date beneath bust, 13 stars on border; rev., eagle on shield, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOL. Sharp, dull proof surface, uncirculated. The rarest of all half dollars".
Because of problems with the opening of Girard College (actually opened in 1848) Bache became the principal at the new Central High School in 1839 (a block from the U S Mint) in Philadelphia.
In my earlier posting, I incorrectly mentioned that Bache was Tyler's old college President. In fact, he was Tyler's old college chemistry professor, (not president) at the University of Pennsylvania during 1828-1836. Later, Bache became President of the American Philosophical Society.
Hopefully, "boardreader" will post this correction so that others who check out things online will have the proper information.
PM me if you are looking for U.S. auction catalogs
Comments
There's nothing wrong with prooflikes. I actually prefer them to proofs. One I am especially fond of is the 1878 VAM-9 Morgan. Now there is a coin with history. Can't put a roll of them together and they represent either those first dozen struck and documented as pretty much specimens or the handful that followed, all the first miniscule sample of oh so many millions of the popular series that followed.
Gread thread anyway. The off-metal dime strikes were particularly interesting.
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
<< <i>Read what Dave Bowers writes in his December 31, 2007 Coin World column. >>
Haven't gotten CW in years except for the show freebees. What did he say in a nutshell?
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
It wouldn't be acceptable to post it on this site.
Edited to add a correction about an earlier post -
The undated Rufus Tyler paper (last seen in 1894 and no longer seen in numismatic channels) to "President Bache" was correctly addressed at the time. Bache had been appointed President of Girard College after he returned in 1838 from 2 years overseas studying about schools for the poor and orphaned children. Tyler's note would tend to confirm that the 1838-O halves were struck in 1839, perhaps as test pieces (using the outdated dies) to try out the equipment.
Another correction about the example offered in the June 7,1894 Freisner sale by Ed Frossard, lot 583, would be that it was not an "unimpaired Proof" as seen in Breen's write up in his Proof Encyclopedia, p.234. The actual lot description is as follows:
"1838. Draped and turbaned bust of Liberty faces to the left, O over date beneath bust, 13 stars on border; rev., eagle on shield, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOL. Sharp, dull proof surface, uncirculated. The rarest of all half dollars".
Because of problems with the opening of Girard College (actually opened in 1848) Bache became the principal at the new Central High School in 1839 (a block from the U S Mint) in Philadelphia.
In my earlier posting, I incorrectly mentioned that Bache was Tyler's old college President. In fact, he was Tyler's old college chemistry professor, (not president) at the University of Pennsylvania during 1828-1836. Later, Bache became President of the American Philosophical Society.
Hopefully, "boardreader" will post this correction so that others who check out things online will have the proper information.