Something strange on this 1860o Half Dime...

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 6:23PM

Hi guy's, I've had this coin for over 4 years now, still trying to solve the mystery in what the heck is on the obverse of my coin? Now, that I purchased a Magnification scope, I can finally, (hopefully) show the picture to the most knowledgeable forum online to get some answers? I realize they're not the best pics but maybe, someone else see's what I don't. There is no sign on the reverse, just the obverse. To me, It almost looks as if it is from the "M" in the word "Dime". but further studying, it's not. It's concave not raised. Thanks for any suggestions. Maybe, our dear Fred can shine some light on this? -joey

Got it, Thanks.

LanceNewmanOCC · February 1, 2017 6:29PM

@joeykoins said:
Now, that I purchased a Magnification scope, I can finally, (hopefully) show the picture to the most knowledgeable forum online to get some answers?

pic?
.

SamByrd · February 1, 2017 6:38PM

The reverse shows clashing like many half dimes do of the era. The obverse looks like a PM event but I am not 100% sure. It seems tough to find a half dime without clashing its real common and often very cool to see.

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 6:41PM

It might very well be , but isn't mine more dramatic than your pictures? It seems to be more than just a die clash, no?

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 6:44PM

At first, I thought it might be a " Counter Stamp" of some sort but once again, nothing to determine that on the other side (reverse)?

LanceNewmanOCC · February 1, 2017 7:35PM

.
original image courtesy of coinfacts.

yosclimber · February 1, 2017 8:26PM

Lance for the win!

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 9:28PM

Thanks everyone, but still not solved.

SamByrd · February 1, 2017 9:37PM

deleted

CaptHenway · February 1, 2017 9:38PM

Those are clash marks in her midriff. When the obverse die hit the reverse die, some of the die steel in the obverse die was "struck up" into the depressions in the reverse die just like coin metal would be. This left raised die steel on the face of the obverse die that corresponded to the lettering in the reverse die.

The obverse die then struck this coin (among others) and the raised die steel from the clash marks left negative impressions in the coin.

TD

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 9:46PM

I see what you're saying but also, as you said, " This left "RAISED" die steel on the face of the obverse...". That's just it, the obverse isn't RAISED. It's concave. not convex. Here, even if you were correct, the "M" impressed to the obverse, the right leg of the letter "M" is not a thin leg, as it shows, it would be a fat leg of the letter "M", Right?

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 10:00PM

I don't know? Maybe, you're right? Thank you, buddy.-joey

yosclimber · February 1, 2017 10:08PM

This left "RAISED" die steel on the face of the obverse...[die]"

Key word "die" you left out of your quote.

CaptHenway · February 1, 2017 10:09PM

@yosclimber said:

This left "RAISED" die steel on the face of the obverse...[die]"

Key word "die" you left out of your quote.

This.

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 10:38PM

Thanks guy's, cool!

LoveMyLiberty · February 1, 2017 11:28PM

What the Captain said.

joeykoins · February 1, 2017 11:58PM

Bingo! WoW! O.K. Now you guy's really convinced me. That is a beautiful coin, dude.
Thanks for showing. Like I mentioned in my OP, this forum is knowledgeable!

ricko · February 2, 2017 5:17AM

Once again, a mystery solved on the forum..... Neat coin Joey... Cheers, RickO

MrHalfDime · February 2, 2017 8:28AM

I saw this post yesterday but was unable to reply, as I was at the cardiologist's office having my factory rebuilt ticker checked out. Fortunately, my absence was not missed, since other eminently qualified forum members (e.g., CaptHenway, yosclimber) provided the answers to the OP's questions. The OP's coin is, as stated, a spectacular example of a die clash, and is actually well known. Dr. Valentine, in his 1931 monograph, describes this as his 1860-O V2 with his typical cryptic description of the obverse thusly:

Obv. Open, medium date. Die imperfections between figure and flagpole.

The above description is hardly descriptive of the severe clashing seen, but his photographic plate of the obverse of his V2 clearly shows the incuse, inverted M from the denomination. This die marriage is available with some searching, and can be considered scarce. It is an eyeball variety, and typically garners debate and discussion as seen here.

joeykoins · February 2, 2017 9:14AM

Oh, I hope everything came back positive with your visit? Thank you for the late reply, anyway! All you guy's Rock! IT truly is like a school here, as I always tell the newbys. Your description of these sort of coins, sounds like what the Doctor tells us about a certain part of our bodies in the Doctor's office. LOL Thanks again, my friend. -joey

MrHalfDime · February 2, 2017 5:24PM

For the record, there is also an example of the 1857 (P) half dime, and another example of the 1860 (P) half dime with very similar clashing of the M in DIME from the reverse between Miss Liberty's midriff and the flagpole, both represented in my reference collection. I know, I know. This post is useless without pictures, but I don't have any photos.

joeykoins · February 2, 2017 7:01PM

No photos needed, thanks. What you have shown and what previous posts by others " put the nails in the coffin". I thought I was the only one with this unique clash? LOL. Oh, and sorry, about typing the word "Positive" instead of " Negative" concerning your health tests.

LoveMyLiberty · February 2, 2017 10:51PM

The coin I posted is an 1860-P O-2 & is listed on coinfacts
and used to be my coin. There are at least 3 coins on
coinfacts that have the same clashing for 1861 -P coins.
It seems to be quite common.

Something strange on this 1860o Half Dime...

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