ANACS F12 1840-O WB-1 (?). Obverse appears to be an EDS Obverse 1 with a weak "4" in the date but without die breaks. I'm not 100% certain about the reverse at this moment. Most likely A without die breaks.
@JRGeyer said:
Pickups from the GFRC Auction last week:
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One of the best obverse strikes on an 1856 I have encountered .
I presume you are describing the rare good detail in the obverse dentils.
The 1856 Philadelphia half dimes are notorious for these weak dentils;
only a few dies (or strike sequences) have well defined dentils.
It was actually because of the weak 1856 dentils that I chose not to use the "dentil ruler"
method for describing date position which is used on Seated Dimes.
I don't think it's the strike / die alignment, but that is my guess.
Here is an example with very flat obverse dentils, but all the other details like star centers are strong.
Some have speculated that the master hub was getting worn out.
And the hub was changed partway through 1857 for Philadelphia dies.
But the 1856-O and 1857-O use the old hub and have strong dentils.
@yosclimber said:
I presume you are describing the rare good detail in the obverse dentils.
The 1856 Philadelphia half dimes are notorious for these weak dentils;
only a few dies (or strike sequences) have well defined dentils.
It was actually because of the weak 1856 dentils that I chose not to use the "dentil ruler"
method for describing date position which is used on Seated Dimes.
I don't think it's the strike / die alignment, but that is my guess.
Here is an example with very flat obverse dentils, but all the other details like star centers are strong.
Some have speculated that the master hub was getting worn out.
And the hub was changed partway through 1857 for Philadelphia dies.
But the 1856-O and 1857-O use the old hub and have strong dentils.
That's interesting, Clint!
I should have chosen better words, "complete" would have been a better term for the obverse on the '56. Thanks for commenting on that one because in searching for a full dentils 1856 for my collection, I've noticed that almost all of the coins that seem to have the full dentils visible have a lightly struck Liberty and reverse. I just assumed it was an issue with the lighter planchet and the first year post arrows next to the date on the obverse.
Edited to reflect I uploaded the incorrect reverse slab image. That was actually of my 1872-S!. Recently picked up a crusty 1866-S Motto to accompany my even crustier 1866-S No Motto. Sellers photos (both were obtained from DLRC).
With Motto, WB-102, WB-8, R-3, total mintage 994,000
Without Motto, WB-101, WB-1, LDS R-4, total mintage 60,000
I thought your max grade was AU50. Have you changed the parameters of your collection?
Doug
I branched out, but I'm not 100% happy with it. It's a little too "flashy" compared to the rest of the set. Not sure if I'll continue with anything above 50 but maybe. It's getting hard to find upgrades.
@Manifest_Destiny said:
Just won this Hansen castoff. VF25 upgrade replaces my F15. Only 3 coins left in the set below VF20 now.
A rare date! Very nice! There was collector, first name of Bill from PA. that passed about 10+ years ago that had a mini hoard of these. (Meaning like 8 pieces) He would pay top $$ for each one. A really nice guy too.
@Manifest_Destiny said:
Just won this Hansen castoff. VF25 upgrade replaces my F15. Only 3 coins left in the set below VF20 now.
A rare date! Very nice! There was collector, first name of Bill from PA. that passed about 10+ years ago that had a mini hoard of these. (Meaning like 8 pieces) He would pay top $$ for each one. A really nice guy too.
Cool, it's one of my favorite dates in the series and my favorite New Orleans date. It's a rare coin that has maintained it's top 10 status in the series over the years. They just don't show up in any grade it seems.
Comments
Well, just Love coins, period.
AU55 CAC
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Pickups from the GFRC Auction last week:
One of the best obverse strikes on an 1856 I have encountered .
ANACS F12 1840-O WB-1 (?). Obverse appears to be an EDS Obverse 1 with a weak "4" in the date but without die breaks. I'm not 100% certain about the reverse at this moment. Most likely A without die breaks.
Upgrade for my VF25
@Manifest_Destiny sweet!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
1872-CC, XF45, WB-8, R-4, total mintage of 257,000. Now down to two remaining issues (73NA and 77) to complete my Carson City 50C set in XF.
@LJenkins11 Awesome half! You should make a thread for CC halves and post your set!
One of my favorites - NGC AU53:
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@ARCO thats a great strike for an O mint.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
@skier07 gorgeous quality in that 1880 SLH!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
@skier07 That 1880 and @LJenkins11 1872-CC are causing some electrical problems here.
I presume you are describing the rare good detail in the obverse dentils.
The 1856 Philadelphia half dimes are notorious for these weak dentils;
only a few dies (or strike sequences) have well defined dentils.
It was actually because of the weak 1856 dentils that I chose not to use the "dentil ruler"
method for describing date position which is used on Seated Dimes.
I don't think it's the strike / die alignment, but that is my guess.
Here is an example with very flat obverse dentils, but all the other details like star centers are strong.
Some have speculated that the master hub was getting worn out.
And the hub was changed partway through 1857 for Philadelphia dies.
But the 1856-O and 1857-O use the old hub and have strong dentils.
That's interesting, Clint!
I should have chosen better words, "complete" would have been a better term for the obverse on the '56. Thanks for commenting on that one because in searching for a full dentils 1856 for my collection, I've noticed that almost all of the coins that seem to have the full dentils visible have a lightly struck Liberty and reverse. I just assumed it was an issue with the lighter planchet and the first year post arrows next to the date on the obverse.
Grabbed this some time back to upgrade my complete die marriage set for 40-O.
Seated Dollar Collection
Wow! Nice toning. Hopefully grabbed before the Everyman registries got started.
Upgrade for my VF30
I know they grade by the obverse,
but I couldn't resist this reverse.
Very nice for grade. Tough date!
Low mintage, original, yum!
Very nice rare coin!
AU55 CAC, WB-8
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
...
Edited to reflect I uploaded the incorrect reverse slab image. That was actually of my 1872-S!. Recently picked up a crusty 1866-S Motto to accompany my even crustier 1866-S No Motto. Sellers photos (both were obtained from DLRC).
With Motto, WB-102, WB-8, R-3, total mintage 994,000
Without Motto, WB-101, WB-1, LDS R-4, total mintage 60,000
Those look like two different "with motto" die marriages from the MM position. What am I missing?
Great catch @Barberian! I dragged the incorrect reverse.
https://d1htnxwo4o0jhw.cloudfront.net/pcgs/cert/48211877/275603044.jpg
Well, just Love coins, period.
@LJenkins11 Love those 66 halves!
Collecting: Cents, Dansco 7070, Half Dollars, 1947, 1976, random pieces I like
My PCGS Registry
How am I ever going to catch @Catbert with coins like this one?
You’re crazy! 🤪
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Wow, this one is gorgeous!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
I love good looking Seated!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
Don,
I thought your max grade was AU50. Have you changed the parameters of your collection?
Doug
I branched out, but I'm not 100% happy with it. It's a little too "flashy" compared to the rest of the set. Not sure if I'll continue with anything above 50 but maybe. It's getting hard to find upgrades.
Latest upgrade.
Just won this Hansen castoff. VF25 upgrade replaces my F15. Only 3 coins left in the set below VF20 now.
A rare date! Very nice! There was collector, first name of Bill from PA. that passed about 10+ years ago that had a mini hoard of these. (Meaning like 8 pieces) He would pay top $$ for each one. A really nice guy too.
Cool, it's one of my favorite dates in the series and my favorite New Orleans date. It's a rare coin that has maintained it's top 10 status in the series over the years. They just don't show up in any grade it seems.
Recent pick-up!
Collecting: Cents, Dansco 7070, Half Dollars, 1947, 1976, random pieces I like
My PCGS Registry
https://www.the4thcoin.com
https://www.ebay.com/str/thefourthcoin
Well better than “58” for sure!
Well, just Love coins, period.
A couple of AU53 upgrades
Low grade but low mintage. My first New Orleans dime
A local coin shop find from earlier today:
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.