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A tiny mystery - line on an 1830 half dime obverse

BikergeekBikergeek Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

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?

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    TheGasManTheGasMan Posts: 99 ✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2026 6:43PM

    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

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    TheGasManTheGasMan Posts: 99 ✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    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

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    TomBTomB Posts: 23,348 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Also appears to me to be some type of fiber that has adhered to the surface of the coin over time.

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    mach19mach19 Posts: 5,221 ✭✭✭✭

    Halfdime might be able to answer your question

    TIN SOLDIERS & NIXON COMING image
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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,210 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TheGasMan said:

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    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?

    Isn’t that the centering mark?
    I’ve seen it on bust halves and large cents before.

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    BikergeekBikergeek Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:

    @TheGasMan said:

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    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?

    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!

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    TheGasManTheGasMan Posts: 99 ✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2026 8:16PM

    @Bikergeek said:

    @Walkerguy21D said:

    @TheGasMan said:

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    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?

    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.

    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

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    2windy2fish2windy2fish Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭✭✭


    @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!

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    Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 7,378 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They must be common for the series, because mine has one too

    Mr_Spud

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    CivilWarBuffCivilWarBuff Posts: 121 ✭✭✭

    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!

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    yosclimberyosclimber Posts: 5,339 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe the purple object (thread? bristle?) got attached during some type of liquid treatment and got stuck to the surface when the liquid dried.

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    MEJ7070MEJ7070 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Amazing images Sean. That coin is already flourishing with you.

    Maybe this will have to be my new icon image :D

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 34,321 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Definitely a thread-like object or a hair on the surface of the coin.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 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. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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    calgolddivercalgolddiver Posts: 1,830 ✭✭✭✭✭

    great photography and very interesting & attractive coin

    Top 16 Type Set 1792 to present

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    calgolddivercalgolddiver Posts: 1,830 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Mr_Spud said:
    They must be common for the series, because mine has one too

    always spectacular examples and remarkably consistent

    Top 16 Type Set 1792 to present

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    jacrispiesjacrispies Posts: 1,669 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A small purple fiber thread... symbolic of royalty that has owned the coin before you. A coin fit for a king!

    "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.
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    CivilWarBuffCivilWarBuff Posts: 121 ✭✭✭

    Or a piece of felt from a coin cabinet in someone's home

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    jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,310 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 12, 2026 7:00AM

    Nice info @Bikergeek and @yosclimber. Great photos, Sean.
    Knockout coin also. Pic of reverse perhaps.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

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    CopperindianCopperindian Posts: 3,449 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A real beauty Sean! I’ll be looking for it in the BST :D;)

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

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    BikergeekBikergeek Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jesbbroken - ask and ye shall receive! And also, hope all is well in your world!

    My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!

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    jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,310 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Sean, just wanted to see which reverse it had. Truly a neat coin.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
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    jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,310 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Glad it's an LM-6 and not an LM-8. Needed reverse to know. Again congrats on a R-4 beauty.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain

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