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Thoughts and Grade Opinion on this coin? 1796 Bust Dollar

RampageRampage Posts: 9,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 19, 2026 4:53PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Looking for opinions on this 1796 Bust Dollar. I am considering buying it. I like the color and Ilike the look. There is a small planchet defect on the reverse, and I wonder how much, if any at all does it detract from the desirability and overall value.

Please share your thoughts. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Grade opinion? Etc etc...

Thanks...


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    TomBTomB Posts: 22,982 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think it looks beautiful, but would be concerned that whenever I went to sell it (and all coins are sold eventually) that the "planchet defect" would have to be argued about and proven it isn't a gouge and that no matter what the determination that the coin would lose liquidity and value.

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    WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 7,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 19, 2026 5:03PM

    My kind of coin!!! Looks VG-10 to F-12 but the ''planchet defect'' could be seen as making it authentic graded only.

    Liberty Seated Half Dollars

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    skier07skier07 Posts: 4,751 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don’t know much about Bust Dollars but I would pass and wait for one without such an obvious flaw.

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    WinLoseWinWinLoseWin Posts: 1,830 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Also a possible rim hit and/or repair at UN of UNITED.

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

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    RampageRampage Posts: 9,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WinLoseWin said:
    Also a possible rim hit and/or repair at UN of UNITED.

    It's a minor rim bump, though the picture makes it look much worse than what it actually is.

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    ColonialcoinColonialcoin Posts: 867 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For me personally, a coin is not for me if I have to hem and haw about it.

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    MasonGMasonG Posts: 7,109 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I wouldn't buy a coin for my collection if I was concerned about what I could sell it for before I even bought it.

    But then, that's just me.

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,880 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So, planchet defect above D, rim bump at rim by UN.

    Fine-17-2/3? Call it a Fine-15.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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    hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe the rim bump and "planchet flaw" happened at the same time. Nothing more than a theory as I am not familiar with planchet flaws on early silver issues. I am mostly wondering about the circled part as it looks like there was something more than just a "bump" involved.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 39,478 ✭✭✭✭✭

    i'm in the can't unsee camp

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,399 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Most collectors have a difficult time in managing their expectations with early US type. The surviving population without critical issues adds to the dilemma of selecting the best option to fill an important slot in a type set. There are trade offs… and if you are expecting perfection within various grade levels and at or within a limited budget, you will likely pass on an opportunity to own a decent coin. I like this one. I see a borderline VF20 coin with planchet flaws. I think the surfaces compensate for the flaws. In looking at a 1796 dollar and the range of the surviving states of preservation, I think you made a good decision in selecting this coin

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,100 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Agree with @Coincat.
    The caveat would be that if it bothers you that much, then don’t buy it, as others have said. But if you’ve been looking for a while, it fits your budget because it’s been discounted, then it may be the coin for you.

    Seeing this post made me go to CoinFacts to check it out; this variety is the scarcest of the three major types, which is a plus. And looking at other straight graded examples, I was surprised at all the issues that many of them had. The TPGs also seem to be more forgiving on these early coins.

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    GuzziSportGuzziSport Posts: 552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 20, 2026 6:59AM

    Nice early dollar, has some very positive attributes, if you like it and the price is right, no reason not to buy it. I’m in the camp that those are flaws, not damage, on the reverse.
    Love early federal type like this.
    An early dollar of mine, the planchet flaw at 6:00 obverse bothers me not one bit, even adds a bit of “character” imo as long as it’s not in a prime focal area.

    Other passions include golf, Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and Euro motorcycles in general.
    Chris

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    291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,184 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Price, Price, Price ... and no, I'm not selling life insurance.

    All glory is fleeting.
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    RedRocketRedRocket Posts: 1,552 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If it is mint caused, I can easily get past the 'issue'.
    As David Bowers would point out, "the defect gives the coin personality."

    I like the coin overall and think it be pleasing.
    These hefty early dollars are a joy to behold and unlike many that have been played with, this one appears unmolested.

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    pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,836 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Generally I like it, and really like what @coincat posted. A good reminder, especially for those of us who collect coins that circulated.

    .
    I think the coin looks wholesome and has character, and would be a nice representative at the right grade/price, unless the planchet defect and rim issue bothers you enough that it is hard to accept. In that case, you will not be happy and should keep looking and hoping.

    What do I think it grades? Call me in the F15/F18 camp, although not (quite) my series, and I am netting her a little.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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    logger7logger7 Posts: 9,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very nice coin; I'd overlook the reverse defect for a reasonable discount. Maybe I'm good at compartmentalizing things but I would not be too put off by the problem in light of its originality.

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    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,806 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sometimes there is reason why coins are in ANACS holders. In this case there is a planchet defect above the “D” and rim nick below the “U.” It has VF sharpness and original surfaces. Net grade, Fine.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,535 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's a very attractive original coin with a couple of minor issues that can be used when negotiating a price. I'd buy it at the right price. Also, I like the small ANACS slabs.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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    goldengolden Posts: 10,459 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You will never unsee the problem.

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    Morgan13Morgan13 Posts: 2,499 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like it alot.
    Not sure what your paying for it but if its a good purchase price wise I would say go for it.
    Try to keep in mind "if I were selling this today what would I get for it".
    Hopefully everyone's advice helps you.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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