1797 15 stars half dime - Wow! Not mutilated!

rhedden · December 9, 2005 5:03AM

In my continued quest to junk up the board with pictures of my half dimes, here is an un-mutilated 1797 15 stars half dime that also appears not to be cleaned. I'd post these all in a single thread, but I think it would kill the dial-uppers to open it. Ther's only one (15 star) LM variety for this year, so maybe someone can help me with the die state instead? Estimates of grade are also welcome, as this is one that PCGS would probably holder.

Edited to specify that there's one 15-star die marriage. Oops.

Cladiator · December 9, 2005 5:14AM

You're killing me with the half dimes man, killing me. I love it

lordmarcovan · December 9, 2005 5:15AM

<< <i>Ther's only one LM variety for this year >>

That means you should send it to LM.

Barndog · December 9, 2005 5:18AM

There is only one 15-star die marriage for this year, but there are a total of four die marriages for the year (two 16-star and one 13-star). Without pictures (I need to retire so I can monitor half dime posts from home...dang security protocols!), I can't tell die state. I can tell you that Valentine identified three die states for the LM-1 die marriage: V-2, V-2A, and V-2B. Another photo I will check on tonight!

Cladiator · December 9, 2005 5:20AM

It almost looks like someone thought about holeing that coin at one point. You can see a very small divot between the 7 and 9 which is right where many holes are located. Perhaps the person had the spike pushed to the coin and changed their mind at the last second, leaving only a small divot.

airplanenut · December 9, 2005 5:22AM

That's a gorgeous coin! I know nothing about die varieties, but I do know that finding a nice example of any piece from that era is difficult. Really, a beautiful piece!

Barndog · December 9, 2005 11:28AM

Rhedden, here are Valentine's descriptions of V-2A and V-2B:

V-2A: Obverse: A die crack runs from lower right edge through drapery and bust. Reverse: Crack at edge over ME of AMERICA.

V-2B: Same cracks, but on obverse greatly extended, going through 9 of the date, face, and T of LIBERTY.

I hope these descriptions help you to determine which die state you have.

rhedden · December 10, 2005 5:27AM

I'd have to guess that this is V-2B, since I believe I can see a crack running out of Liberty's forehead and through "T" of Liberty. Thanks for the info.

BillJones · December 10, 2005 5:36AM

Here are photos of the finest, well circulated early half dime that I have ever seen. It is remarkable that ANY of these coins circulated for so long without sustaining damage. Perhaps even more remarkable is that no one cleaned or polished it.

When I bought this coin in the late 1970s, it’s grade was “the finest Fine-12, 1797 16 star half dime on the planet.” Today it is in an NGC VF-20 holder.

Colorfulcoins · December 10, 2005 11:24AM

Here's my 1797 16 stars.......

1797 15 stars half dime - Wow! Not mutilated!

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