1921 Zerbe ..?????? Zerbe Dies or Proof ????
BIGDAVE
Posts: 1,764 ✭✭✭
Or just a plain old 1921 Proof like
Does any one have clear picture's of the 1921 Zerbe Die markers??
This is mine
1) Scratch from left tip of serif of left upright of second U in UNUM to border.
2) Left base of first 1 above center of dentil,
3)r. base of second 1 slightly r. of left edge.
4) Rev. Very faint recutting visible on left upright of T in UNITED.
5)Horizontal die file marks plainly within ribbon bows and at left and right of them;
6)vertical die file marks at inner berries nearest to left base of N and T in UNITED
Does any one have clear picture's of the 1921 Zerbe Die markers??
This is mine
1) Scratch from left tip of serif of left upright of second U in UNUM to border.
2) Left base of first 1 above center of dentil,
3)r. base of second 1 slightly r. of left edge.
4) Rev. Very faint recutting visible on left upright of T in UNITED.
5)Horizontal die file marks plainly within ribbon bows and at left and right of them;
6)vertical die file marks at inner berries nearest to left base of N and T in UNITED
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Comments
The angle of the die lines off the U seem to match, but his photo shows the line off of the far left tip of the U (not the right tip of the left serif).
The angle of the bow lines seem to match.
The other photos show quadrupled right stars, lines between the eagle's legs, and a double line in the eagle's left wing (right near the breast).
If you can show some photos of the left wing and in between the legs, I'll compare.
A lot of 1921 PL business strikes have that U over UNUM scratch.
There isn't agreement among the experts as to the obverse Zerbe Die Markers. Leroy says no dot
near second one of date; Jeff Oxman says dot outside of '1', Larry Briggs says dot inside of '1'. Jeff
has studied these extensively and may be the best resource.
What PCGS/NGC uses they aren't saying. No dot is visible on the PCGS Zerbe coins I've reviewed, however the "dot being present" is mentioned in at least one auction note. Frankly, they may be as
confused as the rest of us. There is also mention of swirling Zerbe die polish on both sides of the coin, but not in Leroy's analysis.
Yours has a dot or hit outside of the '1', same had mine. Leroy called mine vam-1, and PCGS passed on it.
Does it look like a proof or a business strike? Zerbe surfaces are usually smooth, and the coin in
person is obviously a "presentation proof > business strike" on the slabbed ones I've reviewed in
person. Business strikes usually have innumerable small hits, under glass, while proofs are clean.
Hope that helps. It's a confusing issue!
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Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
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