I just spent $3k on an 1862 Half Dime NGC MS66

GoldenEyeNumismatics

I strongly dislike half dimes. They're too small, don't have much heft in your hand, and just don't impress me.

But I need them for my set of Civil War federal issues. As a result, I really need to LOVE the piece in order to buy it.

Well, I LOVE this one!

Twinturbo

Jeez you put me to shame, 3k?
i don't even have a k lying around to spare lol

Anyways very nice piece, I love the toning and surfaces, It'll fit in with your collection very nicely.

Justacommeman

Go small or go home

That looks like a NICE, very NICE pick up. Congrat's. MJ

bidask

great coin, congrats

STONE

Nice looking coin Will. I agree, Half-Dimes are quite small, that's why I chose Dimes

Strong price for a 66, then again it's got a Gold sticker which generally means it will upgrade to a 67, but even at that price it's a risk!

crypto79

<< <i>Nice looking coin Will. I agree, Half-Dimes are quite small, that's why I chose Dimes

Strong price for a 66, then again it's got a Gold sticker which generally means it will upgrade to a 67, but even at that price it's a risk! >>



A coin that is all there like that one isn't the type of coin the price guides are really taking about with their ranges, although I do agree that if you think about it the Vs the number it is multiplied against melt it is better collecting Copper coins. But after seeing Steve Crain's collection in Baltimore I have a great appreciation for the set.

hchcoin

Very nice

lkeigwin

Yum. That's a wonderful H10. You'll never be sorry you went for it.
Lance.

MrHalfDime

I will ignore your negative comments about my favorite denomination for now, and just say that your new 1862 half dime is a beautiful specimen. Maybe you will grow to love the series as much as I do now that you have taken the plunge. Congratulations!

BillJones

It is well that some people feel this way about half dimes. Their dislike for them keeps the prices down. As a collector of the early half dimes (1792 to 1805) I sort of like that. Otherwise I would have been priced out of the market if they had been as popular as Bust dollars.

For those who have somewhat smaller budgets I bought this 1860 half dime a few years ago for $360. It is a PCGS MS-64.

kiyote

I'm still amazed any of the smaller change under a half dollar before 1870 is still around uncirculated, much less in this quality. Were people even seriously collecting "moderns" back then?

TomB

What does it actually look like in-hand? The images appear a bit muddy, but the coin looks like it might have attractive navy or green accents.

RYK

It looks like a nice coin.

I strongly dislike half dimes. They're too small, don't have much heft in your hand, and just don't impress me.

But I need them for my set of Civil War federal issues.

I hate the idea of buying a coin in order to fulfill some notion of what a complete set is, even though that is how coins are traditionally collected and still collected by most. I have done it in the past, and it generally does not work for me.

Manorcourtman

Well you paid 67+ money for a 66 coin. Hope you like it. Them Gold beans sure do pull strong prices!

MFH

Great looking coin and a wonderful addition to your Civil War Collection.

comma

I feel the same way about half dimes, but that is a beautiful coin.
I have to agree with RYK though, I hate the idea of buying a coin because I "have" to. I was going to do a high end full Civil war type set but actually backed out because there are too many Civil War coins I just hate.

Unknown

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BillJones

<< <i>I'm still amazed any of the smaller change under a half dollar before 1870 is still around uncirculated, much less in this quality. Were people even seriously collecting "moderns" back then? >>



There were factors in play. First coin collecting got going in America circa 1857 when the large cent went bye-bye. Before then, you can have almost held an American numismatic convention in a closet. Once collecting did get started most people were limited to small change. A 19th century collector could put away a cent, half dime or dime, but big stuff, like a five, ten or twenty dollar gold piece was too much to set aside. That's why those coins from the mid 1800s, aside from ship wreck pieces, are so rare in Mint State.

Finally a lot of Civil War era coins got pulled from circulation and hoarded. Once the war was over it took a while for the silver coins that had been pulled from circulation to be spent again. From what I've read silver re-appeared in circulation once the government agreed to back paper currency with gold or silver.

The half dime series ended in 1873 which was about the time a lot of coins came out of hiding from the Civil War. Since the half dime was obsolete, people saved them. That's why high grade circulated and Mint State half dimes are around today. But most of them don't cut the mustard for the MS-66 grade. That is unusual.

BillJones

<< <i>I feel the same way about half dimes, but that is a beautiful coin.
I have to agree with RYK though, I hate the idea of buying a coin because I "have" to. I was going to do a high end full Civil war type set but actually backed out because there are too many Civil War coins I just hate. >>



I collect type coins, and there are few types that don't thrill me. For those pieces I often pull back and buy a lower priced piece.

As for Civil War coins, I've been putting together a set of Philadelphia mint 1861 dated gold pieces. Given the mintages it seems like the Union Government was looking to finance the war in gold at the beginning. It did not take long for them to have to give up on that! I have all of them except the $3 and $10 gold piece. I'll get the $10 gold someday, but the $3 gold mintage was very low, which indicates to me that coin was not important to war effort. For that reason I can live without an 1861 $3 gold.

kiyote

Thanks for the reply, Bill! That kind of knowledge is why I keep coming back here!

EricSan

<< <i>Thanks for the reply, Bill! That kind of knowledge is why I keep coming back here! >>



I agree! The collective knowledge shared here is amazing! Too bad it can't all be automatically compiled and sorted into book format