A Pretty Rare Bust Half NewP, 1836 O.116a R6
BustHalfBrian
Posts: 4,192 ✭✭✭✭
Not the prettiest thing in the world, but beggars can't be choosers.
Although this die marriage is far from rare at R2, this die state is R6. These are the same dies that produced the popular "50/00" variety. After a long run of striking coins bearing 50/00, the dies were retired. The rusty, well-worn dies were later brought out of storage and re-commissioned to strike (nothing went to waste at the U.S. Mint during this era). However, prior to striking, the reverse die was lapped to remove any traces of the 0 under 5. At the same time, the top of 5 was tooled to sharpen it after heavy lapping and die erosion had obscured it. These refinements to the die resulted in the creation of a new die state, O.116a R6. Judging by the rarity of this die state, it is safe to assume these old dies did not survive long during their second round of striking.
About two dozen are known to exist. PCGS has graded a mere 6 examples, the finest being a sole AU58.
Although this die marriage is far from rare at R2, this die state is R6. These are the same dies that produced the popular "50/00" variety. After a long run of striking coins bearing 50/00, the dies were retired. The rusty, well-worn dies were later brought out of storage and re-commissioned to strike (nothing went to waste at the U.S. Mint during this era). However, prior to striking, the reverse die was lapped to remove any traces of the 0 under 5. At the same time, the top of 5 was tooled to sharpen it after heavy lapping and die erosion had obscured it. These refinements to the die resulted in the creation of a new die state, O.116a R6. Judging by the rarity of this die state, it is safe to assume these old dies did not survive long during their second round of striking.
About two dozen are known to exist. PCGS has graded a mere 6 examples, the finest being a sole AU58.
Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist based in SoCal.
0
Comments
congrats too
<< <i>I know you search hard for these coins, and I appreciate the effort. I happily share you joy in finding this coin. I am sure it means quite a bit to you. She won't win any beauty pageants, but when it comes down to truly scarce ones, they just don't always fall in your lap in pristine condition. Congrats! >>
+1
CoinZip 1836 O-116a
<< <i>Sorry to say that I am not convinced this coin is the LDS. The berries appear to have stems, and the feathers appear to be the wrong shape, too long and curved. Of course I could be wrong, simply looking at the picture of a well worn coin. Compare this coin with the CoinZip example, which was verified LDS by top people.
CoinZip 1836 O-116a >>
Hi Mozin,
I respect your expertise in this series and always enjoy seeing your comments in my threads, however, I must correct you on this occasion. It is not unusual for the berries to have stems (view the below example of O.116a that sold at Heritage in February). The key diagnostic for this variety is the tooled 5. If you take a look at examples of O.116 (the EDS 50/00) in CoinFacts, you'll notice that the top of 5 is missing on 95% of the coins. You can see the top of 5 on the other 5% but only faintly. If this were a regular O.116, the top of 5 would not be so pronounced. In addition, no milling is visible on my coin and it is clear the dies that struck it were on their last leg. Those present two characteristics are enough to convince me, but just to be safe, I plan to bring the coin to the next Long Beach Expo on Jan. 29th for examination by experts.
The pictures of your coin don't convince me you have the LDS, but I wish you luck with PCGS attributing yours as the LDS. You certainly could be right.
BHNC #203
I unfortunately tend to agree with mozin. Its very difficult to discern the 116a on such a low grade example. The key elements may have just been worn or nicked away. The other issues you mention are too variable IMHO. I've reviewed half a dozen examples of 116a die states with other members of the BHNC. But each of us only have opinions, in the end its for you to decide the die state of your coin and put it within your set as you see fit.
I was lucky enough to obtain an NGC AU58 version from the Tidwell collection, which then crossed to PCGS at AU55 and subsequently upgraded half a dozen years later to PCGS AU58 (pictured in coin facts).
I do think its a very underappreciated die state rarity with a fairly dramatic look side by side with the early die state. This reminds me of looking for 1807 O-111 primes, the early "a" die states when heavily worn simply do not allow a determination as to whether the faint, feather die crack from the chest towards the chin has been worn away or actually is prime. I know opinions differ and one club member keeps such a coin as prime. [as another stray side note - there is no true prime, the two high grade specimens (XF40 and XF45) still have a faint die crack between star 3 and 4. So its only prime as to the beard. but now I really digress.
Happy New Year to all!