Your 1873 half dime is the V-1 variety.
It has the date position with the pendant above the middle of the 7, and low.
And it is not the V-4, which has the same obverse, but has horizontal lines in the leaves on the reverse.
You didn't ask (no need to), but I'll offer:
Based mostly on the date position, I believe your 1858 is a V-4.
I'm not very sure, though.
There are about 12 different 1858 obverses, and a couple of them have a nearly identical date position.
I don't see any die cracks that would help identify the reverse.
I don't know much about the rarity of V-4 at present, but it was used to strike proofs and some business strikes.
A collector friend of mine used to say "I may have paid too much, but at least I have it". Overpaying is a matter of opinion and overpaying on a coin like that is not overpaying.
I think I may have posted one or two of these before in this same thread, but I figured I’d post a group photo of all the ones currently in my Type sets. Edited on 6/15 to add my NEWP 🌞
An 1840-O WB-10 "small O" (R3). This is the seller's photo and the coin arrived this way. The crud on the wing was hard and resin-like and chipped off easily with a sharpened toothpick and a cat whisker (excellent coin tool). The die cracks and tiny cud (next to "I") are interesting and affect the wear pattern on the right wing.
I picked this up today because I thought it would go with the others. I also just edited my post from the other day to add it to the group photo. Please excuse me posting it twice 🌞
Gerry Fortin shared some good memories of Jim O'Donnell in his blog on April 27:
Sunday evening brought a special event in a collecting career. That event would not have taken place without the guidance of a special person. Today, I pay tribute to Jim O'Donnell as one of my early mentors. Jim was an eccentric person with an incredible memory though being stricken with epilepsy. Many of us would refer to Jim as "no social security number Jim" as he wished to carry on life in an invisible manner. Few individuals became close to Jim as he was a tough New Yorker with a strong ego. Jim and I shared a common passion; Liberty Seated dimes. He possessed a unique knowledge of individual date rarities before the population reports. Jim's recitals of major auctions, the "players" in attendance, and how the floor bidding occurred were legendary if one took the time to listen.
Jim and I become close; the master and the student. He would often test my growing knowledge of "the dimes" by handing me a high grade Mint State coin with reverse side up upon approaching his table. It was a test. Could I identify the date based on the mintmark size, position, and strike characteristics. With time, I began to nail those "tests" as wishing to garner the "master's" respect and continued guidance.
Jim always stressed that rarity was the single most important parameter that one must learn when assembling a high grade Mint State Liberty Seated dime set. Deep rarity insights would be the guide for knowing when to go all in on a coin rather than succumbing to the wisdom of the auction houses and their catalogers. I will always remain indebted to Jim O'Donnell for his mentorship. Sadly, Jim died too young under strange circumstances. His epilepsy grow progressively worse. It was reported that Jim died during a fall in his shower as he lived alone with his aging mother. Those of us close to Jim, felt uncomfortable with the report as his top end Liberty Seated dime collection was never found afterwards... or at least to my knowledge.
On Sunday evening, I purchased the following 1869-S dime at an amount that was well beyond "the guides". The purchase was based on decades of chasing this date for an exceptional specimen. ....
It's so rare to see any 1870-cc to 1873-cc quarter with choice, original surfaces. I was genuinely surprised to see the mintmark as I was scrolling down.
The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
Can anyone help me with the die variety on this 1837 Half Dime. PCGS EF-45. I have Parkinson’s and it’s really dong a number on my vision. Any help would be appreciated
Your 1837 is V-3 in Valentine's book, but will be V-1a in the new attribution guide.
The pointed top 1 narrows it down to V-1, V-1a, V-2.
The big bump on the leaf left of E of AMERICA is the marker for V-1a/V-3.
Sorry to hear about your Parkinson's - that can be very tough.
Hopefully you will still get many good years, though.
I enjoy attributing half dimes, so if you have more that you need help with, please post up!
Comments
Shot this 2 weeks ago, and it's too nice not to share.
Hello everyone! PCGS VF-35, pix courtesy Barberkeys!
Here's a new half dime (NGC 58 Mislabeled in a dime holder). Eaagerly awaiting Yos's expert analysis! Pix courtersy Barberkeys...
Good to see you back!
Your 1873 half dime is the V-1 variety.
It has the date position with the pendant above the middle of the 7, and low.
And it is not the V-4, which has the same obverse, but has horizontal lines in the leaves on the reverse.
Awesome! Thanks Yos!
For today a well worn 1886-S dime....
Blue collar. Worked until it couldn't stand up!
Another half dime, common, but nice! PC-40
You didn't ask (no need to), but I'll offer:
Based mostly on the date position, I believe your 1858 is a V-4.
I'm not very sure, though.
There are about 12 different 1858 obverses, and a couple of them have a nearly identical date position.
I don't see any die cracks that would help identify the reverse.
I don't know much about the rarity of V-4 at present, but it was used to strike proofs and some business strikes.
1876-P MPD?
Does anyone know how this "MPD" listed on the label compares to the MPD's on the recognized PCGS list?
Thanks!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
A raw newp. Pix courtesy Barberkeys...
I paid way too much, but I like it and I have it!
A collector friend of mine used to say "I may have paid too much, but at least I have it". Overpaying is a matter of opinion and overpaying on a coin like that is not overpaying.
Here's a coin with my kind of look, a green on green 64:
l
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.
In my experience, not what 40s quarters usually look like:
P63 cac
There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who do not.
these are my only 2 that i could afford at the time, and i Love them
My only Seated Half - I couldn't find the reverse picture in my files.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
PCGS 58 and CAC Pop 1, to my surprise!
...and a half dime, PC-45 CAC. Pix courtsey my friend Vern...
The 1849 half dime is a nice example of the V-1 die marriage -
high left date with 184 touching the base and the 4 entirely left of the pendant.
That is a great look on the Seated half dime Len.
Jim
A tough quarter in AU - pix courtesy Barberkeys...
I think I may have posted one or two of these before in this same thread, but I figured I’d post a group photo of all the ones currently in my Type sets. Edited on 6/15 to add my NEWP 🌞
Mr_Spud
An 1840-O WB-10 "small O" (R3). This is the seller's photo and the coin arrived this way. The crud on the wing was hard and resin-like and chipped off easily with a sharpened toothpick and a cat whisker (excellent coin tool). The die cracks and tiny cud (next to "I") are interesting and affect the wear pattern on the right wing.
Nice looking 1849 half. Great 1840-O half.
Latest addition has that great circulated look:
An 1840-O Large O, WB-? (possibly new). Reverse free of die cracks.
Speaking of 1841.. P62 no cac attempt.
I picked this up today because I thought it would go with the others. I also just edited my post from the other day to add it to the group photo. Please excuse me posting it twice 🌞
Mr_Spud
1846 half dime - Purchased about 2000 from the late Jimmy O'Donnell
Gerry Fortin shared some good memories of Jim O'Donnell in his blog on April 27:
Another from Jim O'Donnell, circa 1996 (raw back then):
l
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.
Holy smokes @barberkeys Vern! So gorgeous and a '73-CC as well! No equal I am sure.
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
It's so rare to see any 1870-cc to 1873-cc quarter with choice, original surfaces. I was genuinely surprised to see the mintmark as I was scrolling down.
Just got this one - was kind of tough to find.
XF45 CAC
Some raw dimes to share, pix courtesy Barberkeys...
@paesan @barberkeys Wonderful coins and pictures guys!
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
New Orleans Mint museum has a USS Republic shipwreck collection of O-mint Half Dollars. Captured some of these this morning during a visit...
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
P five-o cac
My pocket piece.
Can anyone help me with the die variety on this 1837 Half Dime. PCGS EF-45. I have Parkinson’s and it’s really dong a number on my vision. Any help would be appreciated
Your 1837 is V-3 in Valentine's book, but will be V-1a in the new attribution guide.
The pointed top 1 narrows it down to V-1, V-1a, V-2.
The big bump on the leaf left of E of AMERICA is the marker for V-1a/V-3.
Sorry to hear about your Parkinson's - that can be very tough.
Hopefully you will still get many good years, though.
I enjoy attributing half dimes, so if you have more that you need help with, please post up!
Interesting counterstamp on this one
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer, see my portfolio here: (http://www.donahuenumismatics.com/).
nice show-stoppers!
does the half have polished drapery or re-engraved?
I think you’re referring to the drapery at the elbow (?) that is hardly even there- I think it’s from polishing/die lapping.
I’m actually going to cross over a bunch of coins after FUN- a dozen or so- and will post the results- these two are among the group I have in mind.
My 1883 PR 64 CAC
Floridafacelifter - good luck with the cross, I hear things are pretty tight now.
My latest, thanks Doug, P58:
l
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.
Some nice coins there from the late Jim O Donnell, and there not cleaned