Your beautiful 1850-O half dime, as you no doubt already know, is an example of Valentines V1, in a slightly later die state than he describes as his V1a. Valentine describes for the V1a:
Obv: Die of No. 1, but a faint break (die crack) shows at third star.
Rev: Die of No. 1, but a break shows between F of OF and A of AMERICA.
Your coin not only exhibits the aforementioned die cracks, but also has an obverse die crack connecting all 13 stars, passing through Miss Liberty's head, plus a die crack from the toe to the rim and several other tiny die cracks. The reverse, in addition to the die crack described by Valentine, shows a die crack at UNI, another at ST of STATES, a huge die crack at K3, extending through E3, and another from the right stem to the right ribbon. This coin can properly be designated as V1b.
Believe it or not, there is a later die state of this die marriage, with even further deterioration of the dies.
Now, find an example of Valentine's 1850-O V3, Medium O, which I have never seen nor even heard of the existence of an example. I believe Valentine listed this in error, as his photographic plate appears to show a Large O (1.2 mm), not a Medium O (1.0 mm).
They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
Mottled toning on gem seated coins is an acquired taste. Many just don't ever make that transition as they expect them to be blast white or looking like a bag toned Morgan. Finding a higher grade 50-0 half dime would be a huge task. For that matter, same comment for any 1850-0 denomination. It's one of my favorite years/mint. The 50-0 half dime sort of gets tossed in with the 51-0. But I think in gem it's close to the 52-0 and quite a bit better than the 51-0. But all three of them are great coins in gem.
In this closeup one can see the head is lacking a bit of detail that was not apparent in the smaller photo. But then again a full head on any of the 40-0 to 52-0 NO mint half dimes is not the norm, or even close to it. A rusty die with long service life, no surprise it lost some detail along the way. I am amazed at that die crackage though. Very neat.
Comments
you shoulda quit while you were ahead
.
<< <i>
<< <i>.
you shoulda quit while you were ahead
. >>
Here Lance, a smaller photo so you won't get sick:
haha. i was just kiddin anyway
.
Obv: Die of No. 1, but a faint break (die crack) shows at third star.
Rev: Die of No. 1, but a break shows between F of OF and A of AMERICA.
Your coin not only exhibits the aforementioned die cracks, but also has an obverse die crack connecting all 13 stars, passing through Miss Liberty's head, plus a die crack from the toe to the rim and several other tiny die cracks. The reverse, in addition to the die crack described by Valentine, shows a die crack at UNI, another at ST of STATES, a huge die crack at K3, extending through E3, and another from the right stem to the right ribbon. This coin can properly be designated as V1b.
Believe it or not, there is a later die state of this die marriage, with even further deterioration of the dies.
Now, find an example of Valentine's 1850-O V3, Medium O, which I have never seen nor even heard of the existence of an example. I believe Valentine listed this in error, as his photographic plate appears to show a Large O (1.2 mm), not a Medium O (1.0 mm).
Just kidding, of course. This pretty toned, better-date coin is a real treat to view, even if it's blown up to the size of Mount Rushmore.
Finding a higher grade 50-0 half dime would be a huge task. For that matter, same comment for any 1850-0 denomination. It's one of my favorite years/mint. The 50-0
half dime sort of gets tossed in with the 51-0. But I think in gem it's close to the 52-0 and quite a bit better than the 51-0. But all three of them are great coins in gem.
In this closeup one can see the head is lacking a bit of detail that was not apparent in the smaller photo. But then again a full head on any of the 40-0 to 52-0 NO mint half dimes
is not the norm, or even close to it. A rusty die with long service life, no surprise it lost some detail along the way. I am amazed at that die crackage though. Very neat.