Neat little chopmarked newp (not a trade dollar!)
MilkmanDan
Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
Picked this one up recently, you don't see too many chopmarked half dollars from New Orleans. I figure it either took a boat trip or traveled by wagon to S.F., then a longer trip by sea to China. Given the date, it's quite possible this coin was carried west as a part of the California gold rush.
To ratchet up the neat-o-meter on this one, the coin was purchased by the Russian ambassador to China back in the 1960's. I really love to add chopmarked coins to my collection which can be traced directly back to China.
Feel free to post your own chopmarked half dollars below.
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Comments
Great example, Dan, love that "wagonwheel" chop. neat history .
Neat-o-meter maxed out on that one. Very nice and great history.
Wow that's an awesome coin. I've also never seen that cartwheel chop before, is that a rare one?
What I love about chops is how often they have honest surfaces. That coin is all there and an amazing addition to your set. Great date and clearly the limited about of lost detail shows that it left American commercial channels fairly quickly or sat around before leaving. Gold rush connection makes a lot of sense
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
That is one nice looking chop mark. Most look hastily done but this one looks like it was placed and nicely struck.
Congrats on a cool pickup.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
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I see three chopmarks on the reverse. The first two, one on top of the other are some of the most common chopmarks you'll see. At this point I'm looking at dozens of chopped coins a day, and I've maybe seen the "wagon wheel" chop just a couple of times. So I guess you could say that one is pretty scarce.
Neat pickup.
I have a longer term goal to find one half dollar with Chinese chopmark(s) from each mint.
Here's the S mint to go along with the O above. This is one of my favorite coins period.
Still need a CC and P. Both are out there, but much less common than S mint coins by probably 30 or 40 to 1.
I do truly love that 55s half. I personally would have held out for one in higher condition, but it works in your set.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
That is so cool, Dan! Where do you find these?
I have an 1853-O chopmarked half and two P-mint ones: 1836 (Bust) and 1854. All three are worn and pretty beat up, not nearly as nice as your 1849-O.
Congratulations on a great pick-up.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Nice coin ... and I have never seen that 'wagon wheel' chop before... I do not recall it being in Rose's book...will have to check later. Would love to get a CC Trade Dollar with the wagon wheel chop on it... Cheers, RickO
Couple of neat ones there!