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My Holed Bust Halve Collection

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    RollermanRollerman Posts: 1,907 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That had to take some time rounding up all those holes coins. Make me wonder who handled these coins, many well circulated, and who and why did they want to hole it. I would think 90% of it was done back when these coins were "just coins" to the hole makers. Contemporaneous in other words. I enjoyed looking at them!

    "Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet."
    Louis Armstrong
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    LukeMarshallLukeMarshall Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would imagine that loosing 50c back in the early 1800s would have been a heavy hit to some, maybe the hole was so they can fasten it to themselves somehow (necklace, chain, pin, ect) for the trip into town for the new milking Cow...

    Seriously Cool collection, I like these coins with holes a lot...

    It's all about what the people want...

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    jayPemjayPem Posts: 4,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 9, 2024 9:39AM

    Awesome!
    Looks like you are missing a couple of the same holes (😄) as me... specifically 15/2 and 17/3.
    There are a couple 39o's on ebay, as you probably know, but shelling out for the big ones doesn't really make sense to me...

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    TomBTomB Posts: 22,965 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This looks terrific! Is that a bogus bustie as the first piece in the Other Varieties section?

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    jayPemjayPem Posts: 4,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 9, 2024 10:23AM

    @TomB said:
    This looks terrific! Is that a bogus bustie as the first piece in the Other Varieties section?

    Same thing I was wondering...🤔

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    MeltdownMeltdown Posts: 9,246 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That's a pretty fun side hobby right there! B)

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    NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,826 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 9, 2024 12:21PM

    Great collection of nice holed coins, it no doubt took a lot of time and effort. I believe there were a number of reasons they were holed, the most common has been mentioned - to prevent loss, not everyone had pockets, or holes in pockets that would eventually happen, and .50 was a lot of money to lose back then.

    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
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    BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Let me know when you get the 1829/21. 😉

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
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    ElmerFusterpuckElmerFusterpuck Posts: 4,892 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That's a lot of coin necklaces I could wear! :D

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    MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love it!

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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    MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting that so many of them are holed at 12 o'clock. Is that your preferred look, or is that just typical for the series?

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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    pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 6,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Most of the ones that I've run across have been holed at 12 o'clock . Definately makes a better look and it's not in the date.

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    OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,770 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Okay, a question for you hole guys. Just curious... Can you guys actually tell, identify or determine the difference between a coin that was holed yesterday or one that was holed 180 years ago?

    I'm pretty sure I could drill a hole in a coin from the 1800's (junk silver) and make it look like it happened 180 years ago.

    Hey, I'm just the messenger......don't shoot!! 🤣 😂

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

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    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 32,296 ✭✭✭✭✭

    it looks good here, why not :)

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    pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 6,088 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jayPem said:

    @OAKSTAR said:
    Okay, a question for you hole guys. Just curious... Can you guys actually tell, identify or determine the difference between a coin that was holed yesterday or one that was holed 180 years ago?

    I'm pretty sure I could drill a hole in a coin from the 1800's (junk silver) and make it look like it happened 180 years ago.

    Hey, I'm just the messenger......don't shoot!! 🤣 😂

    Well, good question actually.. I feel like I was talking about this with someone awhile ago. Lord Marcovan? 🤔
    I've been tempted once or twice, but it seems like a dumb idea.
    My favorites are the ones you can just sort if tell are really old.
    Ones that were worn on a string for so long the hole is also very worn...


    And this Bust halve had been around for 48 years before it was engraved

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    jacrispiesjacrispies Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR Square holes are a certain sign the hole is contemporary! You can also see whether the hole is punched, drilled, fresh, or toned consistently over. If it looks good enough, then it probably is contemporary...

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
    BHNC #AN-10
    JRCS #1606

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    WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 10,272 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Holey of Holies!! o:)

    Can you imagine the spectacular necklace one could make with those??!! :D

    Seriously, pretty cool and that MUST have taken some time!! ;)

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

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    OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,770 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jacrispies said:
    @OAKSTAR Square holes are a certain sign the hole is contemporary!

    Square hole? Is that a round square hole or a punched square hole or a drilled square hole?

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

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    The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,505 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like the set! You're giving these coins a hole lot of love.

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

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    jayPemjayPem Posts: 4,095 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:

    @jacrispies said:
    @OAKSTAR Square holes are a certain sign the hole is contemporary!

    Square hole? Is that a round square hole or a punched square hole or a drilled square hole?

    Coins were often nailed above a front door or barn door.
    Nails were typically square back then and so left a square hole.
    I see these more often on smaller coins like dimes. Probably since it was a less costly way to satisfy the custom...?
    Sailors or folks heading out on a sea voyage would hole coins and keep them on a string.
    Having your silver secured to yourself was a good way not to lose it or have it stolen from your cabin or luggage I guess.
    Not great pics, but here are a few with interesting holes.



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    OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,770 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 10, 2024 9:39PM

    That works for me @jayPem. Thanks for that history lesson, really interesting! 👍 👍

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

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    rec78rec78 Posts: 5,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting! I once started a wholey large cent set by date. I called it my religious (wholey) large cent set. I was about 1/2 complete when a dealer offered me a price that I could not refuse (double my investment) So I sold it.

    image

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