GRADE REVEALED - Guess the Grade - 1800 Draped Bust Half Dime

RogerRamjet

Just picked this up in a trade from my regular B&M dealer. This just about completes my type set of Draped Bust coins. I know Draped Bust quarter grading much better than the half dimes so I am inquiring from you what you think it grades at and see if the grading service agrees.

Take a guess. Give your rationale. Educate me! Hint: It is a no problem coin.

Moldnut

Looks like a VF20 to me.

Unknown

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123cents

<< <i>Looks like a VF20 to me. >>

indeetlib

I would want to grade it F18, but I agree - VF20 in the PCGS holder.

SteveDippolito

I would agree with the VF20 guesses.

By the way I also have an 1800 half dime for my type set (considerably higher grade and did it hurt my finances... good thing it's basically a fancy way to save for retirement). I couldn't possibly tell the variety however--it being for a type set I really did not care, and the dealer do an attribution (as he normally would on his stickers) since he bought it knowing it would go directly to me. 1800 half dime

STONE

I am in the Fine camp. F-15 approximately.

Great looking piece regardless of TPG opinion!

coindudeonebay

It's in a 15 to 20 holder. But really, who here doesn't think that coin has been harshly cleaned and is now recoloring and not that attractively? On another note, I'd take that sucker in my collection any day of the week!!!

golden

I think that she will go 25.

CoinJunkie

VF-20 sounds right. A bit too much "meat" for F-15.

Type2

VF

Barndog

<< <i>I would agree with the VF20 guesses.

By the way I also have an 1800 half dime for my type set (considerably higher grade and did it hurt my finances... good thing it's basically a fancy way to save for retirement). I couldn't possibly tell the variety however--it being for a type set I really did not care, and the dealer do an attribution (as he normally would on his stickers) since he bought it knowing it would go directly to me. 1800 half dime >>



Steve,
even though your link is broken, I figured out how to get to the image you intended. Yours is an 1800 LM-1 or V-1, an R-3. Supposed to be the most common die marriage for 1800 half dimes.

BillJones

VF-25

Justlooking

I'd go 25 easy. Plenty left on the reverse.

Baley

Nice coin. This is a very tough type, and most collectors do not have an example in ANY grade. Also rare to find in a local coin shop, your regular B+M guy is an exception!

When found, the vast majority of these have something wrong with them, often more than one defect, with bends and damage being very common.

The 1800 is the most often found date; isn't it neat that the 8 in the date was made with two little o punches looped together?

I'd grade this piece VF-something, my own opinion from the pictures is VF22, the detail is probably 25 or better IMO but the surfaces are just a little mussed with ("long ago!") and one has to account for the smattering of little pecks about the face and neck, and elsewhere.

291fifth

F15, though the reverse is better. By my way of grading the weakest side determines the grade. Split grade coins have always been a problem because sellers want more because one side is better and buyers will only pay for the grade of the weakest side.

If in doubt, it always goes to the lower grade.

HighRelief

Looks like there is enough meat on the bone to call it a very fine 25

UtahCoin

I'm going to stick my neck out and say VF30. I do like the look of it, and it would go very nicely with my set. Please ship it asap.

DAVEatHLRC

VF20

ModCrewman

I know nothing of these, but I'd call it a 30.
Edit: The rationale - I think the obverse is weaker than that, but the reverse seems very strong. Blaming the difference in detail to strike differential nets me to a 30.

GotTheBug

I'll give it a shot as F15. Nice coin.

MrHalfDime

Looking strictly at the obverse, I would grade this coin VF-20. But the reverse is somewhat better, in my opinion, so maybe a VF-25 overall. Those who look for nice Draped Bust coins in VF grades appreciate just how difficult they are to find, particularly in original condition. To be sure, there are a couple of tiny hits on the obverse, but any coin which is over 200 years old is bound to show signs of circulation. This coin has a very nice appearance, with some subtle toning, and is quite desirable. The attributions of LM-1 are correct, and although it is the most 'common' of the four 1800 die marriages, the die state is not common. Note the rim cud at the bottom of the obverse, below the date. This late die state is somewhat more difficult to locate, for those who collect them by die state. Nice coin. Please enter my name in your generous giveaway.

BillJones

As a grade comparison, this piece was graded VF-30 when I bought it raw over 25 years ago. NGC graded it EF-40, and I had no trouble getting EF-40 money for it when I traded it as part of an upgrade deal a few years ago.

The flat spot on the reverse is a typical strike for the type (opposite the bust on the obverse) and does not affect the grade.



I won't post a picture of the upgrade piece because that would detract from this thread.

Baley

The half dime was also the last coin in my draped bust heraldic eagle type set of half dime through dollar, this won't be my "final piece" to represent the type, but wanted an "entry coin" to get my feet wet. When shopping, I had a few criteria: Most of the major devices and legends outlined, not dated 1800, and under $1000. Good luck, right?

Rich Uhrich found me this one, which I have been happy with for a couple of years



I obviously like your coins significantly more, Roger and would like to see the other coins in your DBHE type set

guitarwes

Nice coin in the OP. Super coins all around to everyone else. Very tough DB type. I've always wanted one of these.

BillJones' coin and the plate coin in the Redbook have the same weak strike characteristics on the reverse.

jughead1893

20

Placid

25

BillJones

I think that one would be hard pressed to acquire an 1800 half dime with this much meat on it and holder than is marked "Fine."

This 1796 half dime was in a Fine-15, but it was net graded for obvious reasons.

steveben

i really don't know, but i will guess 25. i think the reverse has quite a bit of detail left.

TPRC

Put me in the f-15 camp.

michiganboy

VF25

RogerRamjet

I had some spare time tonight so I figured I would post the grade. No one got it exactly right. PCGS F-12. But that is okay, because I paid F-12 money for it and would do it again gladly.

keyman64

Cool coin, congrats!

Baley

Twelve? I'll bet the submitter was disappointed. Good for you though!

SteveDippolito

<< <i>

<< <i>I would agree with the VF20 guesses.

By the way I also have an 1800 half dime for my type set (considerably higher grade and did it hurt my finances... good thing it's basically a fancy way to save for retirement). I couldn't possibly tell the variety however--it being for a type set I really did not care, and the dealer do an attribution (as he normally would on his stickers) since he bought it knowing it would go directly to me. 1800 half dime >>



Steve,
even though your link is broken, I figured out how to get to the image you intended. Yours is an 1800 LM-1 or V-1, an R-3. Supposed to be the most common die marriage for 1800 half dimes. >>



THanks for the info and for pointing out the broken link. The correct link is 1800 half dime

(For some reason when I copied the link it came over with https: (which doesn't make sense). The forum software insists on putting http:// in front of it which just totally buggers it up. I couldn't even edit out the http://; when I saved the edit it would put it right back in again. Taking out the https:// worked though.)

yosclimber

As others have mentioned, this type is very tough on the budget.
I never expected to own one, but some years back, a cull appeared on ebay and I was high bidder.
With my LM book, I was able to identify it as an 1801 LM-2.
Only a little bit of the 01 is barely visible. The bust and hair ribbon are somewhat outlined, and a couple of stars are visible.
A bit more is visible on the reverse - STATES, some clouds, a few stars, eagle's head and UM in motto.
It would be a difficult coin to photograph, as the features are only visible under certain angles of light....

golden

I would take that all day long as a 12.

291fifth

I said 15. It looks like I need to tighten my grading standards.

OldEastside

My first thought was F12.......but as I read replies I upped it to F15
First Impressions I'll Admit it was a guess though

Steve

CoinJunkie

<< <i>I said 15. It looks like I need to tighten my grading standards. >>


I'm guessing the coin got net graded. It's better than F12 based strictly on wear.

Justlooking

I was assuming a weak strike on the obverse ... not knowing if they were typically weakly struck.

Barndog

<< <i>I had some spare time tonight so I figured I would post the grade. No one got it exactly right. PCGS F-12. But that is okay, because I paid F-12 money for it and would do it again gladly.

>>



VERY easy to understand why you would willingly pay F12 money for that coin! I too like having "great for the assigned grade" coins in my collection