Hey you folks who collect series by die marriages... I got a question!

2ltdjorn

First, it seems that it is quite a blast & challenge. So I ma not new to collecting but I would be diving into a deeper realm of the world of numismatics. I would like to know what books would you recommend for the each series, and which series might you recommend for the beginner.

I am interested in the capped bust 1/2 dimes & dimes.

Thanks.

MrHalfDime

For the two Capped Bust denominations that you cite, there are excellent reference books available for each. For the Capped Bust half dimes, "Federal Half Dimes 1792 - 1837", by Russell Logan and John McCloskey is the bible. It was published in 1998, and although it is now out of print, it can be found on the secondary market with a bit of searching. For the Capped Bust dimes, the reference is "Early United States Dimes 1796 - 1837", by David Davis, Russell Logan, Allen F. Lovejoy, John W. McCloskey, and William Subjack. This book was published in 1984, is also out of print, and will be somewhat more difficult to locate.

If you are seriously interested in early Federal silver coins by die marriage, I would encourage you join the John Reich Collectors Society, which entitles you to the John Reich Journal, with excellent, in depth articles on all of the Bust coinage. Please PM me for a membership application, or go to the JRCS website here.

IrishMikey

Mr. HalfDime pretty much said it all. If you are a collector of numismatic books, there are a few early books
on half dimes and dimes, but you would be acquiring them more for the history than their use as references.
There are also a few auctions in the past that were heavily into your target series, but again, they would be
more for the history than for die information.

BillJones

The irony of die variety collecting is that the early coins are the easiest to attribute because each die was hand made with often significant differences, but they are more expensive and more difficult to find because so many coins are off the market. The later coins have minor differences that are often difficult for the beginner to attribute. The VAM varieties for Morgan dollars are an example, although the VAM book is very well done. Conversely the Newcomb varieties for Large Cents (1840 to 1857) drive me nuts. I still can’t do them, and I’ve been a collector for over 50 years.

For the half cents, “Half Cents, The Little Half Sisters” by Roger Cohen is a wonderful book. It too is out of print, but copies must be available via the Internet.

Die variety collecting is interesting, but you have to accept that fact that you will not be able to assemble complete sets. The super rare varieties only become available on rare occasions, and the prices are through the roof, even for low grade coins. I collected half cents by die variety at one time, but gave up because I hit a wall and could go no further. When one of the coins I needed, and really wanted (It would have completed my set of 1804 half cents), finally became available the price was $7,000+ twenty years ago. I had choice between a ground salvage example at that price or an 1804 quarter eagle in AU-50. I think that you can guess which coin I chose to buy. That was the beginning of the end for my career as a half die variety collector.

DeliaBug

For the capped bust half dimes, Kolbe & Fanning have a copy of Federal Half Dimes 1792 - 1837

For the dimes, Charlie Davis has a copy of Early United States Dimes 1796 - 1837

They aren't cheap.

BustCuds

Welcome to a new world in Numismatics...Good luck

MrHalfDime pretty much nailed the reference books.

cladking

<< <i>The irony of die variety collecting is that the early coins are the easiest to attribute because each die was hand made with often significant differences, but they are more expensive and more difficult to find because so many coins are off the market. The later coins have minor differences that are often difficult for the beginner to attribute. The VAM varieties for Morgan dollars are an example, although the VAM book is very well done. Conversely the Newcomb varieties for Large Cents (1840 to 1857) drive me nuts. I still can’t do them, and I’ve been a collector for over 50 years.

For the half cents, “Half Cents, The Little Half Sisters” by Roger Cohen is a wonderful book. It too is out of print, but copies must be available via the Internet.

Die variety collecting is interesting, but you have to accept that fact that you will not be able to assemble complete sets. The super rare varieties only become available on rare occasions, and the prices are through the roof, even for low grade coins. I collected half cents by die variety at one time, but gave up because I hit a wall and could go no further. When one of the coins I needed, and really wanted (It would have completed my set of 1804 half cents), finally became available the price was $7,000+ twenty years ago. I had choice between a ground salvage example at that price or an 1804 quarter eagle in AU-50. I think that you can guess which coin I chose to buy. That was the beginning of the end for my career as a half die variety collector. >>



Great post (as typical).

Few modern coins will ever be collected as die varieties because these are virtually identical
to each other and can only be discerned if you have several examples of the same die pair. I
used to try to save save nicer examples but these will never be never collected this way because
most die pairs have no surviving specimens (in Unc) and can't be differentiated in lower grades.
Even in Unc the differences are so subtle as they aren't usually identifiable over the entire life
of the die. Now I only save examples that are obviously or demonstrably not mint set. Mint set
dies are much more readily identifiable since few were used.

There are sufficient numbers of 1960 to '64 coins in existence that these could be coillected by
die variety but I doubt it will ever be popular. Of course "varieties" (readily identifiable differe-
ences will likely become increasingly popular)(but not die varieties). I even dabble in collecting
1960-D nickels by die variety. I came by it honestly since it started as collecting the numerous
different die chips above the date and motto.

I still collect most things by die variety so long as the differences are obvious even on heavily
circulated examples. The only book of which I'm aware for any of these is the Atwood- Coffee
transportation token Volume IV book. Unfortunately it appears most of these photos were mixed
up but they still show the individual obverse and reverse dies that were used. One can acquire
remarkably scarce and rare varieties for pennies because so few collectors have interest. Some
of the common tokens can even be rare in high grade because so few were ever saved inten-
tionally.

crypto79

I collect by hub variances which is the way dies are made so there are less major difference as they hub would make multiple dies. I then collect a few of the major different and notable die varieties contained in the series. After the different hubs make the different dies the dates and mint marks are added which is where you will see most of the differences on seated coins.

One thing I truly believe in this hobby is you should define your own set and what it is contained in it. Everything from grade to content should match your goals and not a cookie cutter registry or hobby groups definition. It will be much more enjoyable to you in the long run and avoid the pressure of competing with people unnecessary.

-As an example most people collect either chopmark or unmarked coins in my series, I have a mixture as they tell the complete story

-PCGS has a list of important varieties as does NGC and then I have mine with is more inclusive. My defined set is different than my closest buddies in the series but we are all happy.

-My preservation requirements are not as high as some as I can love a problem coin although I respect the people who can wait until forever for the right one.

-My favorite grades are AU53 & MS61, these are often shunned by serious collectors more for me

Because of this I don't fit into any of the Registries and don't have a complete set even though I have one of the most comprehensive sets in my limited niche out there.

RichieURich

Not to spam the forum, but we sell the Federal Half Dimes book (new in shrink wrap) for $145 + $10 postage.

We also sell the Early U. S. Dimes book when we have them, but we are out of stock now.