1838 half dime - Grade Posted

Sunshine Rare Coins · February 20, 2014 11:08AM

Bought this coin a couple of years ago - and wanted the forums opinion on grade and if it is the large or small stars variety

Thanks

morbidsteve · February 20, 2014 11:15AM

And I'm guessing.... AU53???

Steve (PS. I don't much collect these)

amwldcoin · February 20, 2014 11:36AM

From the pictures AU details Cleaned Large Stars

Unknown · February 20, 2014 11:38AM

This content has been removed.

LanLord · February 20, 2014 11:38AM

It would appear that this is the ultra rare miss mumps dime.

ebaybuyer · February 20, 2014 11:40AM

miss liberty has a mouth full of big league chew

Sunshine Rare Coins · February 21, 2014 2:40AM

<< From the pictures AU details Cleaned Large Stars >>

This coin is not cleaned.

Kove · February 21, 2014 2:48AM

First thought was AU 53.

amwldcoin · February 21, 2014 3:10AM

<< 

<< From the pictures AU details Cleaned Large Stars >>

This coin is not cleaned. >>

That's why I said from the pictures. There appears to be quite a few hairlines in the right Obv. field. So if I were grading from the picture I would be lead to believe the toning is probably hiding hairlines also.

MrHalfDime · February 21, 2014 3:23AM

Your coin is an example of the "Large Stars" variety, or more properly, the "Normal Stars" variety. It is not an example of the so-called "Small Stars" variety. The moniker "Small Stars" is actually a misnomer, as the stars for this variety were individually punched into the working dies using the very same star punch as for the other varieties. Valentine designates the two die marriages for the so-called "Small Stars" varieties as his V1 and V2. They both use the same obverse die, but it is paired with different reverse dies.

The obverse die for the "Small Stars" varieties (V1 and V2) developed serious die rust early in its life, most noticeable in the area defined by Miss Liberty's upper arm and the pole she is holding. A large area of die rust essentially fills this area, causing the coiner to remove the die and attempt to lap the area to remove the die rust. Heavy lapping of the die not only removed the rust area, but also wore the plane of the field down to the point where only the highest elements of the star design remained. What began as full stars, comprised of six intersecting diamonds, were lapped to the point where they resembled asterisks (*), or three intersecting lines. Later in the life of the "Small Stars" obverse die, a substantial die crack developed from the rim at K4, through star 13, and into the field. Still later, and seemingly incongruous, the reverse die was removed from the press (not the obverse die), another reverse die was substituted, and coinage of the "Small Stars" variety resumed, now as V2.