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My new (and only) draped bust 1/2 cent : grading help needed
Cucumbor
Posts: 135 ✭✭✭
Hi all,
I guess it half time : after the half dime, here's the half cent I just acquired. It will remain the only one since I collect by type and not by date. I might be lucky to upgrade someday though
My understanding is : 1804, plain 4, stemless wreath, hope you confirm 
In an attempt at grading it I would give a VG8, since part of the flowing hair and drapery are visible, the date is clear on the obverse, and the legend is complete on the reverse (with some weakness on 200 though). Any thoughts ?
5.26 g, 23.5 mm, die axis 210°
Thanks for looking
3
Comments
The Cohen die variety number is 1804 C-13. It is very common and might be the most common half cent. Both dies were very durable with the reverse “No Stems” especially so. It lasted through 1805 and 1806 and made the most common varieties for both of those years.
You VG grade is accurate, but the coin was probably cleaned at one point. It’s a nice beginning for the fascinating topic of early U.S. coins, it’s better than my first early half cent which barely graded Good and had been cleaned. I hate to say it, but that was almost 60 years ago.
Nice looking coin and great for an album type set. I would grade it vg8 also. The black could be environmental damage and mostly likely will not grade if you send it to PCGS, but I have been wrong before.
Excellent coin for a circulated Type Set. FWIW... I think there's a bit more hair detail... I'd grade it as F12 detail/net VG7 for an old cleaning and some patches of micro porosity.
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