A Pretty Great eBay Bust Half Cherrypick: 1817 O.103 "Punctuated Date"
BustHalfBrian
Posts: 4,156 ✭✭✭
I'd like to share this scarce Bust half I snagged in a BIN listing a few days ago. It is 1817 Overton 103 and is affectionately referred to as the "Punctuated Date" variety for the so-called "decimal" (which is actually die damage) between 1 and 7 in the date, making it seem to read "181.7". Although I couldn't see the dot between 1 and 7 in the seller's pics, the missing serifs on the bases of the I's in UNITED and AMERICA -- a key diagnostic for the die marriage -- and lack of die wear/clashes gave me confidence that it was O.103 rather than the common O.103a, on which no dot is present.
This is a very exciting find for me since this has always been one of my favorite Redbook Bust half varieties. And although not a significant upgrade from my current example, a PCGS VF35 which I paid through the nose for back in 2012, I like this new coin more since it matches other coins in my set better and has slightly more detail.
This is a very exciting find for me since this has always been one of my favorite Redbook Bust half varieties. And although not a significant upgrade from my current example, a PCGS VF35 which I paid through the nose for back in 2012, I like this new coin more since it matches other coins in my set better and has slightly more detail.
Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist.
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Comments
congrats
im shocked at the premium vs the rarity rating.
guess it is more rare or more popular.
gratz on a crusty example.
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Congrats on a tough variety
<< <i>How rare is it, and what should your pcgs vf35 be worth? >>
my quick search showed it at r2 and the ngc vf30 sold for around 525 or something.
hefty premium.
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Nice. That coin has a PL look even though it is well worn.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
bob
Ws
<< <i>How rare is it, and what should your pcgs vf35 be worth? >>
I paid $550 for my PCGS VF35 in 2012. After 3 years, I don't expect to see much of a return on my investment. You can expect to see it in the BST shortly with a price tag of $600. I'm still fond of the coin, but I don't have room for duplicates.
As far as rarity goes, O.103 is not rare at R3. The value lies in the intrigue of the variety (the punctuated date). This is the case with many Bust half Redbook varieties. Many of the overdates in the series are no scarcer than R2, however their values can be compared to R5< non-Redbook varieties. You should also consider that it is a Registry "Major Variety" and is needed to complete many sets.
Nice photos, again.
Lance.
I just contacted the seller on eBay and alerted him of your cherry pick. He will be in touch with you shortly.
<< <i>I just contacted the seller on eBay and alerted him of your cherry pick. He will be in touch with you shortly.
In light of recent events, that was my biggest fear of posting this thread.
From what I understand, the "decimal" was a mark left behind to determine the die hardness by using a small punch.
Interesting variety and admirable procurement!
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore...
<< <i>
<< <i>I just contacted the seller on eBay and alerted him of your cherry pick. He will be in touch with you shortly.
>>
That is awesome!
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore...
<< <i>From what I understand, the "decimal" was a mark left behind to determine the die hardness by using a small punch. >>
It is believed to be accidental damage...a dropped object on a softened die.
Dots-on-dies is an interesting study of CBH's. There are some cases where we just don't know why they exist. Mostly they are overdate remnants. Sometimes rust. Occasionally gaffes. But some are very peculiar. Like 1809 O.112 with a dot punched between ES in STATES, the 1832 O.113/O.114 with a dot at the neck/jawline, and the 1822 O.107 button cap (dot on cap fold).
Lance.
BHNC member # 184!
http://www.busthalfaddict.com
Nice pickup Brian!!
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Latin American Collection
Glad you showed us.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
<< <i>Do you happen to have images from the seller which does not show the decimal? The OP image definitely shows the decimal.
... >>
Here's the seller's pic. There's definitely something between the 1 and 7, but it is not obviously the die dot. If someone saw the pic and didn't know the variety, they could have easily mistaken it for a speck of dirt.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore...
Ebay's dead.
bob
Doesn't anyone get a "YOU SUCK" award anymore ?
HE>I
Ebay's dead.
bob
Doesn't anyone get a "YOU SUCK" award anymore ?
since a huge amount of amazing coins come from ebay that would otherwise sit in cases of obscurity and oblivion, shouldn't we say that ebay sucks?
c'mon, you know there are people wanting to say it.... ;
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