1839 Capped Bust Half - does anybody know the difference between two?

TopographicOceans

The Price Guide lists PCGS #6179 and #6180.

What is the difference?
Maybe I have a 6180???




6179 Shop 1839 MS
+ 165
- 175
- 195
- 270
- 310
325 450
475 575
600 725
800 1,000
1,050 1,150
-
6180 Shop 1839
Est. 50 known MS
+ 35,000
- 40,000
- 45,000
- 55,000
- 63,500
64,300 67,500
68,000 70,000
70,500 72,500
73,000 75,000
76,000 80,000

BustHalfBrian

The second one is the rare Seated half dollar reverse.

And FWIW, there's also a Seated half dollar w/ a R.E. half dollar reverse, though this variety isn't nearly as rare; 1840 (O) Rev. of 38

yosclimber

If you just click on the 6180 or 6179 to the left of the price columns, it describes the details on that variety:
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/6180

coin22lover

<< <i>The second one is the rare Seated half dollar reverse.

And FWIW, there's also a Seated half dollar w/ a R.E. half dollar reverse, though this variety isn't nearly as rare; 1840 (O) Rev. of 38 >>



By the way, the reverse is only similar to seated halves. Not exactly the same.

TopographicOceans

Thanks

BustHalfBrian

<< <i>

<< <i>The second one is the rare Seated half dollar reverse.

And FWIW, there's also a Seated half dollar w/ a R.E. half dollar reverse, though this variety isn't nearly as rare; 1840 (O) Rev. of 38 >>



By the way, the reverse is only similar to seated halves. Not exactly the same. >>



The letters are slightly larger but the difference is almost unnoticeable. What else is different?

HalfCollector

The quickest and simplest way to tell the difference is the area below the Eagle. The lowest arrow feather does not extend below the olive branch as much, there are only 2 arrow feathers and not 3, the talons on the claws are longer and curled much more, as well as the Eagle is smaller and less plump. But the quick way is to look at the lowest arrow feather and see how far it extends below the olive branch. All of the known specimens also contain 2 deep parallel planchet roller streaks either on the obverse or reverse.

The reverse is not a Seated reverse per say but is a Pattern reverse die used on the pattern Judd-96, but never on a circulation strike.

coin22lover

Here's my GR-2 which shares the same obverse. There are others that share the same obverse, but only the GR-1 and GR-2 have the parallel roller streaks (in different random locations on a coin by coin basis). The GR-2 is also very rare, an R5+