My first rattler

epc · January 26, 2026 8:59AM

I'm into my 22nd year collecting mainly certified coins. It has taken me that long to purchase a coin in a PCGS rattler holder. It's an 1848 V-9 half dime. The V-9 is a rare die marriage, and is easily identifiable without magnification. The primary naked-eye diagnostic is that the date is placed notably farther to the right than in other obverse dies for the date. Also, there is a reverse die crack from ~K9 all the way across to ~K4. At MS65 plus green bean, this coin is undoubtedly the finest known for the marriage.

Edited to add the photos!

johnny9434 · January 26, 2026 9:00AM

Congrats 👍

pcgscacgold · January 26, 2026 9:02AM

Congrats. I really like the feel of the rattle holder. Probably my favorite of all of them.

epc · January 26, 2026 9:06AM

For those interested, the reverse die was used earlier with a different obverse, making the V-5 marriage. The long crack and the one through the U developed during that earlier marriage.

epc · January 26, 2026 9:10AM

@pcgscacgold said:
Congrats. I really like the feel of the rattle holder. Probably my favorite of all of them.

It does have a different feel, that's for sure. What I'm not a fan of is the little broken bits of the little projections that are supposed to hold the coin in place. This coin is really loose now, and easy to rotate in the holder.

pcgscacgold · January 26, 2026 9:12AM

@epc said:

@pcgscacgold said:
Congrats. I really like the feel of the rattle holder. Probably my favorite of all of them.

It does have a different feel, that's for sure. What I'm not a fan of is the little broken bits of the little projections that are supposed to hold the coin in place. This coin is really loose now, and easy to rotate in the holder.

That is one bad part but very easy to get the coin back to upright. Just a few light taps on your hand and it moves back into place.

jfriedm56 · January 26, 2026 9:24AM

@epc said:

@pcgscacgold said:
Congrats. I really like the feel of the rattle holder. Probably my favorite of all of them.

It does have a different feel, that's for sure. What I'm not a fan of is the little broken bits of the little projections that are supposed to hold the coin in place. This coin is really loose now, and easy to rotate in the holder.

Hence the nickname Rattler! Congrats. Can you post a picture of the entire holder? Thanks Zack.

RedRocket · January 26, 2026 11:05AM

Are those bits of plastic (below, DIME) within the slab or on the outside?

PerryHall · January 26, 2026 11:13AM

@Tranquility said:
Are those bits of plastic (below, DIME) within the slab or on the outside?

Yes. Very common with rattler slabs.

epc · January 26, 2026 1:39PM

@jfriedm56 said:

@epc said:

@pcgscacgold said:
Congrats. I really like the feel of the rattle holder. Probably my favorite of all of them.

It does have a different feel, that's for sure. What I'm not a fan of is the little broken bits of the little projections that are supposed to hold the coin in place. This coin is really loose now, and easy to rotate in the holder.

Hence the nickname Rattler! Congrats. Can you post a picture of the entire holder? Thanks Zack.

Here are full slab shots, taken with my phone.