Bust Halves from some crazy 'Nut I met ... 3rd and Final picture posted
pursuitofliberty
Posts: 7,323 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, my birthday isn't here quite yet, but some packages arrived today that were gifts for me, from me ... or something like that.
The one I was anticipating the most, and was from some 'Nut who keeps referring to himself as #234. I think, based on some information I gathered, he is kind of a fun loving instigator of general entertainment, or maybe even a bit of a troublemaker for the type of adventures that are only discussed amongst close friends. That, or he just might be crazy! 
He doesn't post here, but if you know him, please reach out and give him a razz! 
Anyway, I didn't know this character yet, and really, I still don't know him well, but he had posted something on eBay that kept me going back and looking. So I finally asked him a question and we got to chatting on the messages there. And once we got to talking and negotiating a bit, I asked him if he was part of the 'Nut club, as I had suspected he might be. He said he was, and somewhere in all that I had said something about being over here on this forum. He said he wasn't a member here, but he knew a couple guys that post here, and maybe I knew them ...
Before that though ... back to the package. Back and forth we went and we settled on three, the one that spoke to me so many times and two more for good measure. I have decided to try to model this part of my collection around the "Redbook Set" first, and two of these I will want for that. The third is a different die marriage of something I already have, but it was too nice not to consider. I will say this, in my eyes, all three of the coins in this package were a joy to receive.
I'll start with the latest date in the bunch, and work my way backward. I'll post one tonight ... and then we'll see how fast I post the other two. Feel free to comment, guess the grade, whatever.
1830, Large 0 variety; O-120
Oh yeah, back to that conversation ...
Of all the two names he could drop when we were talking about people here ... I almost fell out of my chair laughing! Yeah, I know who those two are all right!! The more we chatted after, and the more I found about him (later) from them, and then more about them from him (later still), the more I think the three of them might all be cut from the same cloth (see my comment near the top, above)!!
No, I'm not mentioning names. I'm sure some of you could probably guess though! And, they may show up and out themselves anyway! 
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Comments
I'm not sure about the players here. I know some guys.
But I will say that's another nice crusty bust half for your set, Mr. POL. Looks to be in the neighborhood of AU53. And in an older holder to boot.
Don't you love that quirky, lopsided large 0?
These big meaty coins have so much character. The Mint was fast and loose in those days.
Lance.
Nice coin and congrats on your new 'Nut' buddy! As a warning ... collecting those CBHs are addicting and you end up making some crazy trades. I just traded 45 coins for just one of them! So sad ...
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
WOW !!! I'm not allowed to wade into them waters, but that's really nice. AU55 ???
Another lovely crusty bust half for your ever growing collection, Todd!
Good choice....both in selecting this coin and for befriending this ‘Nut’ you mention. He’s a good guy as are all the rest in the club. A club that hopefully you’ll be a part of one day!
I’m in the AU53 club as far as grade.
Can’t wait to see the other beauties you picked up!!!
Dave
Nice coin!
I do not know anything about a 'nut club', but that is a very nice bust half... What is that between I and B of LIBERTY?
Cheers, RickO
@astrorat you know Lane, if I know you, you might have got the upper hand on that trade!
@ricko good eye ... the diagonal mark is a small hit/scrape there, perfectly located. I also just looked again, just to make sure it was not something "as struck".
Thanks for the comments. I'll post the second of the trio a little later today.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
That's an absolutely beautiful coin and I love the way the die lines appear to glint delicately in the light. Really cool piece and I can see the character of what you are building.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
thats a nice busty, i like
Okay coffee and mid morning breakfast break. Working on design projects from home today. Beats the drive to the office, and makes for a quieter and less disturbed space to get things done.
Before I get ahead of myself, the 1830 Large 0, O-120 is indeed in an AU53 holder, and I think that is generally accurate. I could see it as a solid 53 or maybe a 55, depending on which set of glasses I am wearing.
This next one is a date and variety I already have, but as I get further and further sucked in, now I start to have different die marriages! I suspect this isn't the first and probably won't be the last time that happens!!
Anyway, based on the look, I had a hard time resisting. I really need to polish these holders though.
1827, Square Base 2; O108a
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Gorgeous!!! The grade is immaterial!
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
'nother nut.
I'll say good pick ups.
BHNC #203
Another looker! Maybe we should nickname you "Original Todd".
This die marriage often has a little weakness to the lower bust and the scroll, left side. I think it deserves a 53 but 55 wouldn't shock me.
Nice catch on the die chip in the F of OF (O.108a).
Lance.
Okay, and then finally, the one that got me to reach out and make contact in the first place. This one probably isn't the prettiest of the three, but if only I could find every example with these surfaces and originality.
Also, there are at least three different things these coins have in common, and if you want to try to guess that, I'll post the answer tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks for looking and any comments!
1818, O-112
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Three things, huh? I doubt I'll win the prize, entitling me to own all them, with free shipping included, of course. But I will guess...
All AU53.
All from the same Bust Half Nut Club member.
All CAC'd.
I've PM'd my shipping address. Thanks, Original Todd!
Lance.
I really think the most intelligent coin to buy in this series is an original AU 50 - 55. Lots of meat on the coin and much more likely to have original skin. And it won't break the bank. You get grades much higher than that, it costs you and the higher the grade, the more likely it is deemed to be "market acceptable."
I really like them all but the 1818 and 1827 have very special look to them. Congrats. You're on a roll!
Wow, talk about originality!
Awesome looking additions, Todd.
Like I said in one of your other posts, you have an eye for great looking bust halves. Keep it going!!!
What do they all have in coming?....Hmmm, I have no idea other than they are all beautiful and perfect example of what a crusty bust half should look like.
Excellent work, Todd!!
Dave
Thanks for the comments everyone
Before I forget;
Three things in common
So, I think Lance got the closest! But alas, thankfully, even he didn't guess perfect, so I get to keep them all!!
@lkeigwin Maybe should give you a consolidation prize. Oh, I got it ... I'll come out for a visit, and you can buy!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Also, one more thing.
Two of these coins came from a collection of a person we can not find much information about. If any one here has information about a S.R Erickson, who had some number of Bust Halves dispersed in 2018, but was not a member of the BNHC, or any other Numismatic organization the seller and I have been able to find ... at least not yet ... please drop me a line.
I like to keep a history of the collectors who owned examples in my collection before they came into my care, at least whenever when I can.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I have an O-124a from the Erickson collection. I asked the guy who sold it to Me and he said he was just a nice guy who loved bust halves 🤷🏼♂️
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
Harumph...Absence of a trait should not be considered a commonality. You might as well assert none has graffiti, or none is an 1807.
Let's compromise. Send me just two of them.
Lance.
Very nice group of crusty Busties! Not that it matters, but the 1830 has the best shot at a bump to 55 in my estimation.