Question about my Capped Bust Half

RAB

I am new to the forum, so first and foremost...Hello!

I have a question about a CBH that I own, and I was hoping to get some of your thoughts.

The coin is circulated, has nice luster and is in a problem-free holder - I've included pictures below. My question is this: What do you think is causing the lighter colored areas on the high points of the cheek, hair curls above the eye, and curls behind the ear?

These areas are more noticeable in hand than in the pictures, as they reflect light differently than the rest of the coin. "Chalky" probably isn't quite the right word, but it's close. Is this just rub that has toned differently? Or should I be concerned that something was added to the coin's surface that has "turned" since it was originally graded and slabbed?

Thank you!!!

lkeigwin

Nice coin!

And yes, you guessed correctly. High points on circulated bust halves often have some wear and lighter toning color. Sometimes it can be very significant.
Lance.

lkeigwin

Excellent photos, BTW!
Lance.

RAB

Thank you, Lance! Much appreciated. That's a great looking coin, and a nice visual answer to my question.

Insider2

@RAB said:
Thank you, Lance! Much appreciated. That's a great looking coin, and a nice visual answer to my question.

What grade is on the label of your coin?

RAB

@Insider2 said:

What grade is on the label of your coin?

It's graded 58.

TomB

I agree with Lance, which is a good place to be, in that circulated coins often show a lighter area on the high points where their surfaces have been worn.

astrorat

Nice Bust half. I agree with the folks who posted above.

Insider2

@lkeigwin said: "High points on circulated bust halves often have some wear and lighter toning color."

Lance has passed on one of the most important characteristics to look for on all types of coins when determining their grade or originality and that is color. Even the smallest amount of friction or surface alteration manifests as a change of color! This color change is more easily seen when using florescent light. That's why you SHOULD NOT use this type of light when grading a coin. Hummmm.

TommyType

Someone correct me if I'm wrong....(I know you all aren't shy)....

But with Bust halves, I'd always thought that high point "color difference", often quite strikingly different, is due to their second round of circulation.

• The coins circulated for some time...(maybe a long time, maybe for a short period).
• They were squirreled away during hard times, when silver was hoarded. (1830's through 50's maybe?)
• During that storage, they attained their first toning, which was probably quite even.
• Then, when the monetary situation changed, they circulated again. That "first toning" was worn off on the high points, creating the two toned effect.
• Finally, they were pulled from circulation as collectibles or keepsakes.

Comments? Complaints?

BillJones

Circulation leading to wear. Those areas are often lighter on Bust Half Dollars.

TommyType

Kind of a classic example of what I'm guessing about: (Randomly pulled from a dealers inventory....)

Now, why don't Barber Halves, (their closest design equivalent), do the same thing? Dunno.....

Insider2

@TommyType said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong....(I know you all aren't shy)....

But with Bust halves, I'd always thought that high point "color difference", often quite strikingly different, is due to their second round of circulation.

• The coins circulated for some time...(maybe a long time, maybe for a short period).
• They were squirreled away during hard times, when silver was hoarded. (1830's through 50's maybe?)
• During that storage, they attained their first toning, which was probably quite even.
• Then, when the monetary situation changed, they circulated again. That "first toning" was worn off on the high points, creating the two toned effect.
• Finally, they were pulled from circulation as collectibles or keepsakes.

Comments? Complaints?

You raise a good point and very often, as you posted, a coin can exhibit friction wear over earlier friction wear that has toned down leaving a triple-color look. Additionally, on these particular coins the strike and condition of the dies can "mimic" circulation.

Fortunately, we don't need to know the past history of a coin to grade it. I'll also bet many professionals use characteristics we have posted about here to arrive at a fair grade.

RAB

Wow, this is fantastic. To all who have posted, thank you so much!

TomB

Before I forget, does RAB stand for Regulus Arcturus Black?

RAB

@TomB said:
Before I forget, does RAB stand for Regulus Arcturus Black?

Lol, no...but I love that you asked!

thebeav

Welcome to the forum RAB......Lovely half !!

lkeigwin

@TommyType said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong....(I know you all aren't shy)....

But with Bust halves, I'd always thought that high point "color difference", often quite strikingly different, is due to their second round of circulation.

• The coins circulated for some time...(maybe a long time, maybe for a short period).
• They were squirreled away during hard times, when silver was hoarded. (1830's through 50's maybe?)
• During that storage, they attained their first toning, which was probably quite even.
• Then, when the monetary situation changed, they circulated again. That "first toning" was worn off on the high points, creating the two toned effect.
• Finally, they were pulled from circulation as collectibles or keepsakes.

Comments? Complaints?

I don't think that's unreasonable at all.

Given their status as the largest denomination, many were stored in vaults and transferred between banks in sacks. Through luck or intent a lot survived with little or no wear.

Surely many went back into circulation and wore down toning. Who doesn't love VF circ cams?
Lance.

ricko

@RAB...Welcome aboard.... and you can see, from the answers above, the value of being a forum member. Cheers, RickO

RAB

Thanks, @ricko ! And yes, absolutely. Very glad to be here.

PRECIOUSMENTAL

Hi RAB, "WELCOME TO THE BOARD".
Beautiful coin, when I saw your original post I was hoping lkeigwin would respond, that he really knows the series is an understatement.
I LOVE the way they tone, I may be wrong, however, the toning patterns seem predictable\repeated to me.

BustDMs

I have pulled many halves from old Kraft envelopes that have come in as part of old collections through the years. Many of them have exhibited the toning pattern you see on the coins in this thread. I have always attributed this toning pattern to the storage in these envelopes. I feel that the high points showing less toning are the highest points of the coin that actually touched the inside of the envelopes retarding the toning. The rest of the coin was exposed to more airflow and hence toned at a higher rate than the areas touching the envelope.

More Thoughts?