1838 RE Capped Bust Half Dollar (JR-4) -- The Rest of the Story ...

Stuart

What are your thoughts and obervations about this 1838 Reeded Edge Capped Bust Half Dollar?

1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar - Reeded Edge

doh

Looks very nice and original. 58?

TomB

The images would make me say high end AU, but I could imagine it might be in an MS holder because of the angle, white balance and depth of field issues.

itsnotjustme

I think it is MS63/64 NGC. Of course coin in hand would be much easier to grade.

HalfCollector

Stuart, nice looking 1838 half, appears from photos to be AU-58 if luster is missing on cheeks as it appears. The variety is either JR-3 or Jr-4, they both have the same reverse as pictured. The obverse of the JR-3 has a fine crack that extends from the tip of the bust up to the rim below star #1 and also a crack at the base of the date. This obverse was also used on JR-2. The obverse of JR-4 was previously used on JR-12 and has other cracks than described above. JR-3 was produced before JR-4 so the reverse crack is heavier on JR-4. You should be able to tell from the cracks on the obverse. If I had to make an educated guess, it appears to look like a JR-3 from the overall "look" of the photos. Nice coin, enjoy it!!

poorguy

I apologize if I'm kinda harsh on it but it seems forgettable to me. Some light spots on the reverse detract from the appeal it might otherwise have if it showed some luster. The surfaces seem dark and lacking in luster with an overall burnt-gold-grey patination too thick for my liking. There are much better examples to be found and if you haven't bought it yet, I'd hold out.

Stuart

HalfCollector: Perhaps the following higher resolution images will help you discern which variety this coin is. I presume that we may wish to enter into a discussion of planchet striations which are evident on the following previous vintage Heritage Auction photographs.

1838 RE Capped Bust Half Dollar (JR-4)


1838 RE Capped Bust Half Dollar (JR-4) - Heritage Auction Photos (Nov 2007)

Barndog

I like, often prefer, dark toning. I like your coin, Stuart.

Boom

I can't quite put my finger on it but something just doesn't look right.

I'm sure it's a great coin but there is something that's got me going

TahoeDale

I also prefer original toning, be it of a retoned nature or truly with luster and color.

This coin is too dark, without luster to be graded any higher than AU55/58. Though the strike is nice.

Too many 1838's to choose from to want this one in a circulated set.

scoobydeux

I'm with Tahoedale leaning towards Poorguy's opinion. Flat homogenous toning, unimpressive surfaces. Pass.

Stuart

Doh, TomB, ItsNotJustMe, HalfCollector, PoorGuy, BarnDog, Boom, TahoeDale & ScoobyDeux:

Thanks to you all for your objective comments on this 1838 RE CBH. Here's "The Rest of the Story", that I did not provide initially because I wanted to elicit your honest responses -- which I appreciate having received. It's all constuctive feedback that is helpful.

I saw something in this coin that compelled me to purchase it, as a natural skin original coin, and as a study coin because the apparent planchet striations on the reverse interested me. I also believe that the original Heritage auction photos depict the coin as overly dark. Based on additional photos of this coin that I received from the seller, I think that the coin in hand will show more mint luster (as shown on the reverse closeup photo posted on top of the Heritage photos earlier in this thread). Either way, the coin was priced right, so there is minimal commercial exposure.

I am interested in learning more about the CBH series, including the Reeded Edge variety, which seem to often be poorly struck. There is a world of difference between collector preferences of PL/DMPL Morgan Dollars (which I also collect) and Capped Bust Halves who many collectors prefer to be crusty as well as busty!

I'm just having fun and continuing to learn by studying coins. As always I appreciate those of you who have shared your knowledge and collecting preferences with me. Thanks!

HalfCollector

Stuart, went in to view my coins to compare JR-3 & 4's. This coin is definitely a JR-4. Sorry for the earlier confusion. On the JR-3 the 8 is level with the 3 and here it is slightly elevated. The obverse die was lapped between Jr-3 & JR-4 causing the curl in front of the forehead to disconnect from the forehead as seen on your coin, whereas all JR-3's have it touching the forehead even on the terminal state with bisecting obverse die crack.
The die striations on the reverse are somewhat common on many varieties of 1838 half dollars as well as some 1839's also. I would guess that they are caused by some buildup on the rollers when the planchet stock is rolled out and then not totally obliterated by the coining process. They are found only on one side of the coin usually and it can vary from obverse to reverse which means it is in the planchet not the dies. They are also found on other denominations so it must come from a process prior to making the planchets.
Hope this info helps you to enjoy your coin better and peak your interest in finding more out about the series.

tradedollarnut

Planchet striations would not extend over the eagle's neck. Looks more like toning striations to me.

HalfCollector

TDN, the striations appear on many varieties for 1838 and 39, they are deep enough that they apparently donot get completely obliterated by the striking process as they appear both in the field and on the raised portions of the coin as seen here in the 3 photos of 1838 JR-18,19 & 20 which all show them and are seen on almost every coin I have seen of these three varieties. Someone may have more info on these and where they come from or how they are caused, I would be happy to hear. They are too parallel and regular to be from a random occurrence on each coin. They also cover more of the coins surface on some coins and others they appear just in a small area and travel at different directions. I have attached 3 photos of 3 different varieties of 1838, all which appear on the reverse to show how different and random they can be.

1838 JR-18


1838 JR-19


1838 JR-20

Stuart

Received this coin today. Here are the first couple of handheld photos that I took. I can likely take much better photos of it another time.

When examined in hand the striations on the reverse of the coin are much less pronounced than on the original Heritage auction photos -- in fact they are not at all distracting to the viewer...

When examined under microscopic magnification at 10x & 30x power, I can definitely see color variations in addition to apparent textural variations. At first blush it appears to me that very minor appearing striations seem to be made more pronounced due to striated toning. It will be fun to study this coin in more detail to better understand what's going on here. This will be an interesting research project.

1838 RE Capped Bust Half Dollar (JR-4) -- My New Photos