Question for the Bust Half Nuts

chipper10

I know this subject has been discussed before but I would like to make sure I have up to date information to base some purchases on. So I ask this:

What are the best reference books for attributing Bust Half varieties out there right now in descending order of worth?

Thanks in advance for your input and I will buy at least the top two based on your recommendations. I currently have none.

tydye

Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Al Overton 3rd Edition

tydye

I would also recommend

The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars by Glenn Peterson

and

Bust Half Fever by Edgar Sounders

LanceNewmanOCC

.
3 great recommendations tydye
.

coin22lover

<< <i>Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Al Overton 3rd Edition >>




Right, make sure it's the 3rd and not the 4th edition

chipper10

<< <i>I would also recommend

The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars by Glenn Peterson

and

Bust Half Fever by Edgar Sounders >>



Thanks. I just bought both of these new in hardbound editions. The third edition of Al Overton's book is going to present more of a challenge. I can see that already.

astrorat

tydye recommended the three standard books that all serious Capped Bust half collectors should have in their library.

lkeigwin

<< <i>

<< <i>Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Al Overton, 3rd Edition >>



Right, make sure it's the 3rd and not the 4th edition >>

I'm sure this has been discussed before...but I can't search with this brain-dead forum software and modern browsers...what specifically makes the 3rd edition better than the 4th?
Lance.

fishteeth

I personally prefer the 4th ed. I have owned both and find the 4th works best for me. I actually sold my 3rd. There are some mistakes, but I have only found one variety to have the wrong photo attached
to the variety. Since I use the photos for my attribution the other errors have not bothered me

jom

<< <i>...what specifically makes the 3rd edition better than the 4th?
Lance. >>



I've wondered this myself....

jom

astrorat

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Early Half Dollar Die Varieties by Al Overton, 3rd Edition >>



Right, make sure it's the 3rd and not the 4th edition >>

I'm sure this has been discussed before...but I can't search with this brain-dead forum software and modern browsers...what specifically makes the 3rd edition better than the 4th?
Lance. >>

The images are much better in the third edition which helps with difficult attributions. Hopefully Don will come out with a fifth edition with high quality images. Dave Rutherford's site (www.busthalfprices.com) has the eratta for the third and fourth editions. As you can see, both editions have a fair share of errors.

An advantage of the fourth edition is that the rarity ratings have been updated. The latest rarity rating can also be found here on Dave's site.

Lane

mozin

If you can't find a copy of the Third Edition of UNITED STATES EARLY HALF DOLLAR DIE VARIETIES by Overton, just go ahead and secure the Fourth Edition by Don Parsley. What has been mentioned earlier in this thread is correct, but the Fourth Edition will do you fine. I would rather see you get started attributing now, no sense waiting weeks until you find the earlier edition. Besides, the early edition might cost you double.

Don't forget to check with CoinZip. Almost all the marriages are shown, including most all of the die states. This gives you the chance to view much better pictures than are in either book, or the Peterson book. Click the CoinZip below this message.

chipper10

<< <i>If you can't find a copy of the Third Edition of UNITED STATES EARLY HALF DOLLAR DIE VARIETIES by Overton, just go ahead and secure the Fourth Edition by Don Parsley. What has been mentioned earlier in this thread is correct, but the Fourth Edition will do you fine. I would rather see you get started attributing now, no sense waiting weeks until you find the earlier edition. Besides, the early edition might cost you double.

Don't forget to check with CoinZip. Almost all the marriages are shown, including most all of the die states. This gives you the chance to view much better pictures than are in either book, or the Peterson book. Click the CoinZip below this message. >>



Thanks, I bought the 4th Edition new on Amazon today for $80 new and will look for the 3rd edition at a leisurely pace if I feel I still want it. It seems like the 4th edition is getting tough to get too. There is only one on Ebay and it is $300+

mozin

Great. Now read what Astrorat wrote, and follow it to the rest of the information you need.