Which coin would you keep/sell? 1817 single leaf capped bust half

zap1111

I'm in the position of owning two 1817 single leaf CBHs and want to sell/trade one of them to add a new die marriage to my growing collection.

I purchased the first one from a Bust Half Nut Club member. It's in its original skin and a pretty nice coin all in all:






The second one I picked up at the MOON show last fall in Minneapolis. It was identified merely as an 1817 with no mention of the single leaf. I got a pretty good deal on the coin, paying common money for it. It's obviously in a much better state technically, but is retoning from a mild cleaning a while back. It's a great strike:






So...do I keep the original skin (VF20 or so) or the one that pushes AU details?

I must say I'm tempted to keep them both, but my coin budget is really tapped out right now. I'm less than 20 DMs away from the BHNC 100 so I'm feeling the need to add a new one!

Thanks for your valued opinions!
zap

DUIGUY

Nice
White balance a bit off.

lordmarcovan

Kind of a tough call. One is sharper but has a minor issue, while one is more original but lower grade.

I lean a bit towards the higher grade coin, particularly if it could be retoned a bit over time. The other one is lower grade and has that distracting spot over the eagle's wing.

Some of it also depends on whether or not you intend to slab either one of them, I suppose.

coinpictures

Cleaned or no, I prefer the high-grade example. The first one, while it may technically be more original, has enough scratches, marks, etc. that detract from its overall appearance as much as the cleaning does on the higher-grade example... in my opinion...

mozin

Keep the better grade one. Put it into the right environment and let it tone for a few years. You would be surprised how well this works. Bath it in acetone first to give it a fresh start.

Raybo

<< <i>Kind of a tough call. One is sharper but has a minor issue, while one is more original but lower grade.

I lean a bit towards the higher grade coin, particularly if it could be retoned a bit over time. The other one is lower grade and has that distracting spot over the eagle's wing.

Some of it also depends on whether or not you intend to slab either one of them, I suppose. >>



What LM said.

abitofthisabitofthat

I would definitely keep the original VF20. For someone putting a set together by die marriage, there is no chance of putting a matched set together with similar grades - too hard to find. But, a set that is mostly original skinned will still look nice together, and a set with a few cleaned coins - they will really stand out. Then again, if you already have cleaned coins in your set so far, I guess that does not matter so much. I will take originality every time.

LanLord

Personally, I'd keep the vf20.

doh

If all you're worried about is getting a new DM, then you should definitely keep the original VF20. You'll be able to sell the AU for more and will be able to spend all that extra cash on new DMs.

stinkinlincoln

The difference between grades could be much greater, and Id still choose the original, lower graded one every time.

Originality is a thing of the past I guess.

zap1111

Thanks for the input, folks. So far, it's been what I expected - sort of a mixed bag, but certainly leaning toward the original. I sure do like the clean strike on the other one, though, especially the single leaf, let alone the stars and the bar die-clashing below the ear. Any others want to chime in?

jdillane

I'd try to keep both but if one had to go, I'd prefer to keep the higher grade specimen. As Mozin said, give her time and her appearance will improve.

I have a G4...she's orig but, G4. Your VF may only be an F15 too. If a VF30 or better, the original would likely win out. Su

Cladiator

I'd sell 'em both and buy a half dime

shorecoll

It depends on the grades of the other 80 in your set. I agree that selling the AU will get you to BHNC faster. I've been close twice, only to have to sell my sets, I'm back to 60+ again.

BillJones

I actually like the VF-20 better. Maybe it's the picture, but the higher grade one looks like a whiz job.

But there are those who always vote for "meat." (more detail)

My taste is to go for the best coin I can afford tempered with the concept of buying in the grade just before the prices go crazy. Neither of these coins impresses me that much, but then I'm not a Bust half collector.

I can understand the die variety collector mind set. When I collected half cents by die variety I had some ugly stuff in some very rare varieties.

kaz

In this case, I have to say I prefer the originality of the lower grade example- but that's my preference with bust coins. I might feel differently about, say, a Seated piece or a Walker.

mozin

I don't understand how so many of you can determine the lower grade coin is "original", based on the pictures. I see plenty of marks on it, some could be cleaning marks, or even damage. That dark blob on the reverse is certainly a distraction. My guess is the first coin will not grade with PCGS/NGC/ANACS. On examples of the Single Leaf in low grade, it is difficult to convince people that it is indeed the LDS, the DS which is truly the Single Leaf. Most of the value of this coin lies in the Single Leaf DS.

I stand firmly by my original preference of the second coin.

speety

I'd keep the higher grade one and do as Mozin suggested.

I also don't really buy that the first on is all that original from the pics... Maybe moreso than the first one, but not totally original.

kaz

Mozin's explanation certainly makes sense, and I would be inclined to take his advice (based on the additional information).

messydesk

The AU coin looks rather harshly cleaned. If that bothers you at all, get rid of it and keep the coin that doesn't bother you. I can't attest to the originality of the VF coin, but if you like it, then keep it.

zap1111

Thanks, everyone, for an interesting discussion!
zap

JRocco

Hey zap,
While I like the lower graded piece it too has issues.
Give me that high grade piece. She looks a bit polished or shined up a bit with a cloth, but the
detail on her is really nice.
My thoughts are exactly in line with Mozin's (an easy person to side with ) as I would give her an
acetone bath to remove anything that might be on her skin, then I would put her in an album or somewhere else exposed to air for 5 or more years.

zap1111

Between you and Mozin, I'm getting good advice from those who know. Thanks, JRocco.
zap

maibockaddict

If the AU coin has been wiped or polished and is heavily hairlined with no luster, then I would not keep it. But if it only has been dipped, then because the detail on that one is so cool, I would keep it. The F/VF coin for me would be OK for a place holder, but I would rather have the details of a nice original XF. And is that spot above the wing a clump of grime that will come right off? I see some grime in other areas of the coin, so maybe it is...

seemyauction

Keep the high grade................time will help make the surfaces apear more original.


Alan