1838 RE Half variety help - reverse pic only!

Manorcourtman

Ok, I'm trying to figure out the variety of this 1838 RE half based solely on this reverse pic! Can anyone help out? The only obvious die cracks I see are from the left claw thru HALF to the rim. Maybe another set of eyes will see something else!

OKbustchaser

Looks like JR-3...(same reverse die used for JR-4 but in a later die state). Check for another die crack at the top of AMERIC and bottom of STATE.

lkeigwin

These are a lot harder to attribute than lettered edge halves, obviously. Everything hubbed. You usually need really detailed images or the coin in hand.

It looks to me like GR-12 based on the die crack between AL in HALF. But the same reverse die was used for GR-11 so it could be that. The former has a heavy crack. The latter, a finer one.

The GR-11 is an R1. The GR-12 is an R4.
Lance.

lkeigwin

GR-11 = JR-3
GR-12 = JR-4

OKbustchaser

Ok, Lance, so quit using that new-fangled terminology...














either that, or I should join the the 21st century and quit using the Reiver numbers.

HalfCollector

I think Lance is "right on". Based on the wieght of the crack between AL and the softness of the perimeter dentils, etc, I would lean to the GR-12 side of the equation. GR-11's generally come more "crisp" and sharp with a lighter crack. I am therefore leaning to the GR-12 side ( that being JR-4 for our friend from Oklahoma ).

mozin

Usually hard to disagree with Lance, but when HalfCollector agrees about Reeded Edge Half Dollars, one needs to believe it.