Question for Bust Half Collectors...

Obiwancanoli

I picked up a nice 1837 Reeded Edge "50 Cents" Bust half recently, which weighs in authentic, yet measures 30.7 mm...

As I'd picked this up to fill a hole in my Type Set, I'm frustrated that it does not fit in its place in my album...

Though I'm confident the coin IS genuine, it would please me more to have it appropriately displayed in that album, and since I've had this issue with another coin (an 1859 IHC), I'm considering hollowing out the album a bit, so that it will fit.

Have others experienced the same dilemma?

Michael

Baley

When the hole is too big for the coin, I cut a little shim out of a safe flip to keep the coin from rotating in the hole.

when the hole is too small, as in this case, I use a different junk coin to gently "stretch" the hole by moving the coin forcefully within the space.

cutting would likely leave the hole ragged and dripping little bits of cardboard, so I've preferred the stretching method before inserting the real coin

BustHalfBrian

The album may have been made to fit only 1807-1836 Lettered Edge Capped Bust Half Dollars, which are slightly larger in diameter.

EDIT: Just checked the Redbook. The difference is 2.5mm.

-Brian

RevDrBlimber

Another thing you may want to research are the new GR designations on the reeded edge halves, as described in Coin World, etc..

TomB

Not only do the RE half dollars generally differ in size from their CBH predecessors, but they vary somewhat between die marriages.

lkeigwin

<< <i>The album may have been made to fit only 1807-1836 Lettered Edge Capped Bust Half Dollars, which are slightly larger in diameter.

EDIT: Just checked the Redbook. The difference is 2.5mm.

-Brian >>

The OP is talking about a hole that is too small, not too large.
Lance.

johnny9434

my book has larger holes in it as well. like it was said i just shimmed it. works fine for what i want

Walkerguy21D

When the hole is too small, as in this case, yes, I take a small sharp knife and carefully graze some off the inside of the hole to make it wider.
Then wipe out all the dust and debris. Not the prettiest thing, but it's the coins that really count anyway

Obiwancanoli

<< <i>When the hole is too small, as in this case, yes, I take a small sharp knife and carefully graze some off the inside of the hole to make it wider.
Then wipe out all the dust and debris. Not the prettiest thing, but it's the coins that really count anyway >>



That may be the best option here... I did that with an 1859 IHC after I had Rick Snow confirm it was genuine... side by side, it was noticeably larger, so I just "carved out" the receiving hole, and made it fit... but it wasn't smooth, and I hesitate to perform the same abominable task unless I can do it right...

Thanks, everyone!

Walkerguy21D

I think I may have used a rasp or small file to make the hole smoother.....actually, the paper on the outsides of the page was the bigger pain to deal with!
Good luck, and like I said earlier, it's the coins that count - knowing your taste in coins, no one will be looking at the pages and holes in your album!

Obiwancanoli

<< <i>I think I may have used a rasp or small file to make the hole smoother.....actually, the paper on the outsides of the page was the bigger pain to deal with!
Good luck, and like I said earlier, it's the coins that count - knowing your taste in coins, no one will be looking at the pages and holes in your album! >>



Awwww... thanks, Greg... nice of you to say... especially since I got some of those beauties from YOU!!