PCGS Grades First MS65 1812/1 Sm. 8 Capped Bust Half Dollar

BustHalfBrian · January 30, 2015 8:35AM

A Pogue coin?

Just noticed the pedigree says Kaufman. Who's that?

bcdeluxe · January 30, 2015 8:46AM

What is going on with the reverse lettering?

BustHalfBrian · January 30, 2015 8:47AM

<< What is going on with the reverse lettering? >>

Die wear

TahoeDale · January 30, 2015 8:49AM

BHB,

This coin was a part of the Kaufman collection of high end bust halves that were sold to a collector in Sept, 2006(?) in total-about 42 coins, all NGC. Then in April 2009, the collection was sold by Heritage at Cincy Central States, This coin was graded NGC 66 and brought about 43,000.

Appears it finally crossed to PCGS as a 65.

Kaufman put together several series, many seated and barber halves, and more. He bought heavily at Eliasberg.

291fifth · January 30, 2015 9:00AM

<< What is going on with the reverse lettering? >>

As coin dies that are used without a collar wear, the lettering or stars near the edge wear and extend close to the rim. Wear like you see on this coin indicates that the dies used to strike it have seen considerable use but are still holding together.

Ablinky · January 30, 2015 9:01AM

Where ever it may be from/owns it now, it is a very pretty bust half none the less

baddogss · January 30, 2015 9:06AM

Very nice CBH. Is it the small 8 variety?

Timbuk3 · January 30, 2015 10:07AM

Sweet !!!

coinlieutenant · January 30, 2015 11:08AM

Simply gorgeous coin, but at some point, the pin scratch has to be a limiting factor for a gem coin.

Wabbit2313 · January 30, 2015 11:12AM

<< Simply gorgeous coin, but at some point, the pin scratch has to be a limiting factor for a gem coin. >>

I was wondering why it is not labeled scratched myself.

BustHalfBrian · January 30, 2015 12:01PM

<< 

<< Simply gorgeous coin, but at some point, the pin scratch has to be a limiting factor for a gem coin. >>

I was wondering why it is not labeled scratched myself. >>

The giant pics exaggerate it, IMO. Then again I've never seen the coin in hand so I can't speak to how distracting it really is.

lkeigwin · January 30, 2015 12:13PM

<< Very nice CBH. Is it the small 8 variety? >>

Yes. The large 8 is quite scarce. I'm not sure any MS examples exist. If one did it would surely be a six digit coin.

The pin scratch is irrelevant. I wonder if it could even be seen without a strong loupe and special lighting.
Lance.

bcdeluxe · January 30, 2015 1:16PM

That's a pretty coin. And I learned something about die wear. Interesting and thanks.

Shortgapbob · January 30, 2015 1:32PM

It will be interesting to see how some of the coins that sold in that 09 CSNS Sale perform (or how the ones that have resold since have done). I seem to remember that sale being somewhat of a bloodbath with many things selling cheap.

GoBust · January 30, 2015 2:16PM

I wonder if this represents another of the Pogue coins coming out to play after these past six years. I assume that the Pogues bought great coins regardless of PCGS or NGC holders. This might be just such an example.

Phil Kaufman is one of the all time great collectors. His Capped Bust Half Dollar set was out of this world. It sold for 1.8M in 2007. See link below from Heritage press archives.

Heritage Sale of Kaufman Half Dollar Collection

morgansforever · January 30, 2015 7:06PM

Wonderful piece, love the stretched out lettering. Is this considered broad struck?

ricko · January 31, 2015 1:05AM

Nice coin with interesting die wear effect....Cheers, RickO

410a · January 31, 2015 1:06AM

That's a pretty coin ............but, it is not a 65

coinlieutenant · January 31, 2015 1:10AM

Lance,

I think the pin scratch is something to take into account. It may be looked over in favor of other aspects of the coin, but it is hardly irrelevant. I have no idea how it presents in hand or if it can be seen without a loupe. My only point is that you can't have a scratch running through the focal area of a easily graded series and ignore it. Technical is one part of the grading process....otherwise coins would only be graded on eye appeal.

I love the coin, but irrelevant is a bit of an oversimplification. If it DIDNT have the scratch...the coin would probably be sitting in a 66 holder...which by default makes it quite relevant.

John

GoBust · February 14, 2015 9:35AM

Lets try that link to the Kaufman Capped Half Dollar set again, I see it didn't work in my last post.

Kaufman Lettered Edge Half Dollar Sale

oih82w8 · February 14, 2015 10:37AM

Very nice Bustie! I really like the color/tone.

jdillane · February 15, 2015 2:12PM

The coin looks like a stunner. The scratch likely factored into the grade.

mozin · February 15, 2015 2:41PM

I love the coin!

Sorry to say, but that the scratch blows it for me at any grade near what NGC says. Wish we could get PCGS to offer their grade estimate on coins like this one, before the official crossover? What would be wrong with such outstanding coins being graded by both NGC and PCGS, BEFORE they go on the auction block?

roadrunner · February 16, 2015 2:54AM

That same scratch probably would have kept the coin at the MS64 level back in 1987-1989. You generally couldn't have a facial hairline/scratch on any portrait coin on grades 65 or higher. There was no allowance for eye appeal back then. At least, I never saw one that qualified. This is a monstrous looking 1812/1 despite the pin scratch.

PCGS Grades First MS65 1812/1 Sm. 8 Capped Bust Half Dollar

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