Starting new series: CBH

Bustdollar59

I'm half way through my early dollar collection but I want to get into a series in which I'm not spending $10k on every coin I buy. I was considering circ seated dollar and CBH and chose the later based on availability of quality coins and price.

I am planning to go after a few capped bust halves in several of the upcoming auctions. I know there are some big fans of the series on this forum and I'd appreciate any input you can provide. I'm planning on focusing on AU50 - Low MS coins going to lesser grades on a few of the tougher dates. I don't plan on collecting the varieties, just dates/mm. If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions I would appreciate, not to mention any key books to buy.
Thanks, Mike

SilverEagles92

Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836 by Al Overton, for attribution
Bust Half Fever by Edgar Souders

Bear

Just some simple rules I have learned in collecting CBH:

PCGS grades much tighter then other TPG services on this series.

Often, a nice MS-58 is nicer then a MS-60, 61 or 62 grades.

A truly nice, well struck AU-58, original toned half, with full legend and full
struck thru stars will cost quite a bit more then the posted price.

A MS-64 can be a truly beautiful coin if original, well struck with natural toning
and good luster.

All CBH that are bright with no toning whatsoever have been dipped, redipped,
untold number of times.

Many CBH have been ATd or have fugly toning....stay away from these.

A CAC sticker may be of some help in choosing a nice specimin, but not always.

I have selected only one CBH out of every 100 coins looked at. You must learn to be patient,
highly selective and demanding in your selections. Really top of the line AU-58s, MS-63 and MS-64
are few in number and far between.

Bustdollar59

Bear, Thanks for the great advice.

TennesseeDave

I really enjoyed putting together my set(- the 1815/2) in VF-AU.All my coins are in Pcgs plastic,but several were purchased raw and in other slabs and resubmitted to Pcgs.Mostly original coins with great eye appeal are few and far between.Take your time and Good Luck!

kaz

That's some great advice. Just be patient and wait for the ones that look really nice to you. It will take a while. (and, Beware the Siren Song of the Overtons.... luring you into a numismatic Sargasso Sea of no return... )

AU58WALKERS

get 1823 and before...FIRST.
then get the others.

Barndog

personally inspect them before bidding or have a trusted, professional eye examine them in hand for you.

Certainly, that advice does not apply to just bust halves

tydye

After 10+ years of working on it - it is still my favorite series. No other series has held my attention for so long. Good luck on it - it is a fun series

dsessom

I too am going to focus on CBH's soon, after I have my US type set near complete. I am at 80% now, with just 8 coins remaining. But I am going to stick with PCGS VF-XF specimens, as they are more within my price range. I really love the circ-cam look.



I bought this one from Chris Shumway a few months ago and just fell in love with it. Thanks Chris!!!

astrorat

NO!

Start with the Seated dollars and work diligently on THAT set. Then and ONLY then work on CBH!

Please ... I don't need any more competition!

Seriously, it's a great series. Begin by reading everything you can find, starting with Bust Half Fever. Focus on quality over quantity. AU's are nice coins, but many, and I do mean MANY, are not of sufficient quality to warrant entry into a serious set. Most "AU's" are cleaned and will disappoint you. Quality really costs money in this series.

Oh, and STAY AWAY from the nice VF-EF coins!

Lane

TahoeDale

Mike,

I too have just finished my date set of ED's in AU plus. I started on the CBH and early halves in 2001, and they were fairly plentiful( in almost all higher grades) til the last couple of years.

If you are going to be at FUN or Long Beach, please stop by the PCGS table, where my halves will be exhibited. Love to give you a preview of some nice ones.

Dealers to use: Sheridan Downey, Dave Olmstead, Harry Laibstain. Sorry that Don Willis went on to be Pres of PCGS, as he supplied me with many of my coins.

You will have a lot of competition, but all arel great guys, with lots of passion.

Good luck

Bustdollar59

Dale,
I appreciate your recommendations. Your CBD and ED collections are fantastic.
Mike

drddm

All great advice so far. I would do as what others have said, get Bust Half Fever and learn about this series by reading and checking out numerous examples in the grade(s) you plan on collecting.

There will be plenty of competition as Dale has said so be ready to pay up for the nicer, original bust halves when they come along.

I started with this series 2 1/2 years ago and have been hooked ever since. I am currently upgrading my PCGS XF set to AU55-58 and am more than half way done. See my sig line below for my CBH Registry.

Stick with the dealers that Dale has mentioned and you should be able to acquire many high quality halves.

Good luck....CBHs are an awesome series!!!

jdillane

Plenty of good advise here. Sheridan Downey and Dick Osburn would be the at the top of my dealer recommendations though there are others too.

It is a wonderful series. I used to collect bust dollars too. Not the $10K types but mostly $4K to $5K. Sold em to buy more cbh's. I am not quite as finicky as some but readily concede that the the totally original grey dirt specimens and even those with old time album toning e.g. Wayte Raymond album toning are a breed apart.

maibockaddict

Nope. CBH's are no good and you should not buy any at all whatsoever. I need to have less competition and need to keep prices down, so go for the seateds.