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A tiny mystery - line on an 1830 half dime obverse
Bikergeek
Posts: 716 ✭✭✭✭✭
Capped Bust half dimes are small. Things that fit on them are intrinsically tiny. The obverse of this 1830 coin appears to have a die crack from rim to Star 2. However, such a crack is unknown on 1830 Obverse 3. I got out the macro, and with a strong sidelight (from about the 8 o'clock position on the second, detailed image below) I took a closeup of Star 2. Does anyone have any guesses as to what the line is?
My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!
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It looks like it might be a fiber that was on the planchet when struck. It appears that the metal formed around it on both ends. Is it raised? It looks like it. It may have been partially pressed into the planchet on striking.?
Gary TheGasMan - Retired Hank Hill
A fiber or hair seems reasonable to me, but I’m mostly impressed with your photography and that beautiful coin.
Yes, the coin and photography are exceptional. What is that perfect circle that appears dead center of the coin? Is that a gate on the plastic slab or is that in the coin?
Gary TheGasMan - Retired Hank Hill
Also appears to me to be some type of fiber that has adhered to the surface of the coin over time.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Halfdime might be able to answer your question
Isn’t that the centering mark?
I’ve seen it on bust halves and large cents before.
That center circle is a sure pickup point on that particular obverse. Logan and McCloskey called this obverse "dotted date" because of the little dot that precedes the 1 in the date, to the immediate left of the foot of the 1. But they add, "prominent center dot" and "stars 6 and 7 close" as additional identifiers.
The line is raised, and I can buy that it is some foreign material like a thread. But it's so well attached, I haven't seen quite the likes of it before.
My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!
Very interesting and educational. I have heard of centering dots/marks but I have actually never seen one. I have heard though that they are rarely seen on the obverse. Thanks for sharing!
Gary TheGasMan - Retired Hank Hill
@TheGasMan Here is my 1814 with a centering mark, i believe they are somewhat common.
I’m certain @Bikergeek and @yosclimber will let us know!
They must be common for the series, because mine has one too
Mr_Spud
I don't see anything so unusual, it appears to be a purple thread from someone's clothes attached to the surface of the coin. Nice to see something like that still attached since most will spray air and blow such stuff before encapsulation so it must have been stuck pretty good.
I like it!
@2windy2fish , your 1814 capped bust dime is a JR-3, R-2:
Obv 2: large date, curl reaches above right edge of second 1 in date
Rev C: no period after 10C.
2 of the 3 1814 10c obverses have a center dot
The 1811 only obverse has a center dot.
For 1820, 5 of the 8 obverses have a center dot.
For 1821, 5 of the 8 obverses have a center dot.
So you are correct - fairly common for this date range.
@Mr_Spud , your 1821 is a JR-4, R-2.
Obv 2: Wide denticle over S10
Rev B: right edge of C2 under tip of second talon
For @Bikergeek's 1830 half dime,
6 obverse dies are known for 1830, and only 1 has the center dot. It is paired with 2 different reverses.
Maybe the purple object (thread? bristle?) got attached during some type of liquid treatment and got stuck to the surface when the liquid dried.