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1854 Half Dime determination help needed.

I was wondering if anyone could help me out in derterminating the real identity of this coin. It is a 1854 Half Dime with arrows. However, I've noticed something about it

that doesn't seem to line up with other images i've seen from other coins of similar date. 1. Can you identify the same thing I have and explain 2. is it known in the coin community? 3. is it real or a fake?



the coin appears to be of real silver as it sounds like all of the other half dimes I have, but the markings just don't match. Any information would definately help. Please see the pictures of the coin as reference.



Thanks in advance.



Image1



Image2







Comments

  • coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks genuine to me. The unusually high date position did occur occasionally in the denomination.

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
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  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

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  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Heritage archives of 1854 half dimes



    3rd and 8th ones down from the top appear to be the same variety. You can flip through those 400+ listings and see how many of these there are. The 1854 date is very common in half dimes, as well as in dimes through halves. Sort of neat how this 1854 variety overlaps the rock, the arrow heads touch the denticles, and the base of the right arrow head joins into the rear of the "4" crosslet.
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  • Thanks for the information. I wasn't particularly familiar with the several varieties past the Halfs that have arrows compared to the ones that don't. Other ones I have match all of the more common varieties. This is the first I've come accross owning something different such as this. I could not understand if it was a fake, why anyone would want to modify or fake a half dime. Much appreciated.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,685 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Perhaps not an an 1854 half dime, but it they worked on an 1853-O With Arrows and removed the arrows at the date it would be worth their while. I have a photo of an 1853 Arrows and Rays quarter that has had the arrows and rays scraped off to turn it into "a rarity." The price goes up as much as 100 fold if you can sell the bogus coin to a collector or investor.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    It appears that others may have already attributed the OP's half dime as an example of the well known 1854 V1 'Date Overlaps Base' variety. From what I can see from the obverse (only) photographs supplied by the OP, this may very well be the case. However, I would remind collectors, as I always do, that one simply cannot properly attribute any coin by looking at just one side or die. The V1 variety, or die marriage, was produced from the combination of two dies, one obverse and one reverse, and any positive attribution can only be made by studying both dies. Having said that, the V1 attribution is additionally reinforced by the fact that I am unaware of any other die combinations using this unique misplaced date obverse die.

    It is interesting to note that the OP never really states what he is seeing on his coin, nor what he is discussing. He merely states:

    " It is a 1854 Half Dime with arrows. However, I've noticed something about it that doesn't seem to line up with other images i've seen from other coins of similar date. 1. Can you identify the same thing I have and explain"

    We may be jumping to conclusions as to his actual question. Assuming that he is referring to the high date position, and assuming that there are no other die marriages incorporating this same obverse die, the V1 'Date Overlaps Base' attribution would seem to be correct, however.
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

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