Home U.S. Coin Forum

Capped Bust Half Var question - how did this happen?

RollermanRollerman Posts: 1,897 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have a CBH in the following die variety. (see Link). I took it to my coin club last night, but no one could tell me for sure what caused this variety. Can any of you offer an explanation? The prevailing thought was that somehow there was damage to the die, but to further complicate things, the area's in question are raised. Any help would be very much appreciated.

http://www.ngccoin.com/coin-varieties/capped-bust-half-dollar-die-varieties-part-i/1812-50c-o-109a-2539/
"Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet."
Louis Armstrong

Comments

  • Only speculation exists. Some say a tool was dropped but no one really knows

    1812 O-109
    You may call me Dave
    BHNC member # 184!

    http://www.busthalfaddict.com
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,290 ✭✭✭
    Any pitted areas in the die, whether by rust or gouges or whatever, will leave raised areas on the surface of the coin.

    The Overton book says "...a number of heavy die defect ridges and lumps at the lower outside of left wing and from the inner side through upper olive leaves."
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • QuarternutQuarternut Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Any pitted areas in the die, whether by rust or gouges or whatever, will leave raised areas on the surface of the coin.

    The Overton book says "...a number of heavy die defect ridges and lumps at the lower outside of left wing and from the inner side through upper olive leaves." >>



    Overton was wrong, it is not die defects but damage to the reverse die that occurred when a screw or bolt fell into the die chamber and then was struck between the dies inflicting the damage. There was also a planchet in the chamber, as only the reverse die was damaged (would love to find the resulting coin if it still exists…).

    Overton also never saw an example of the early die stage before the damage, as very few coins were struck before the damage happened. Undamaged examples are much scarcer than those showing some or all of the damage.


    1812 O-109 "Prime" EDS

    imageimage


    After the damage happened, the dies came together again without a planchet, causing the damage on the reverse to be clashed onto the obverse die. There was a small chunk of metal that was still present at this first clash, leaving a small depression on the dies and consequently a raised lump on struck coins at the inside of Star 10 on the obverse and under the R in AMERICA on the reverse.

    1812 O-109 "A" Clashed die stage

    imageimage

    1812 O-109 "B" Multiple clashed die stage

    imageimage


    This clashing occurred at least six more times while striking more coins, until the dies were finally lapped in an attempt to eliminate the damage. By the time the damage and clashing was mostly lapped away, the dies were very worn and show little or no dentils.

    1812 O-109 "C" Lapped die stage

    imageimage

    All of this will be covered in my next volume on the half dollars due to be completed by the ANA 2017 (see my sigline for ordering the first volume that covers 1794-1807).

    QN

    Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!

  • RollermanRollerman Posts: 1,897 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The coin I have is a higher grade than the examples posted, but the "damage" looks more like the 2nd coin posted. My feeling has been something was struck into the die that was a high grade metal. Certain screws would fit that description, and the raised portions I see are the concave sections of a screw. I like this analysis Quarternut, it makes good sense to me.
    Now, I've got to go look at my other 1812 to see if this anomaly is also present on that coin....oops! I just remembered, it's a 1812 over 11.
    Anyway, thanks for your thoughtful answer.
    Pete
    "Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet."
    Louis Armstrong
  • zap1111zap1111 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭
    Thanks for such an informative thread! Great job, Quarternut.
    zap
    zap1111
    102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
    BHNC #198
  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanks for such an informative thread! Great job, Quarternut.
    zap >>

    Here! Here! Great stuff!
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Excellent thread.
    I really look forward to that next book QN.

    My example shows nice clear multiple clashes on the reverse.
    image
    image
    image
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • QuarternutQuarternut Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Excellent thread.
    I really look forward to that next book QN. >>



    Working on it every day!

    QN

    Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice work, Steve! I believe you've diagnosed it perfectly.

    Now get back to work on volume 2.
    Lance.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file