Some 1868 to 1870 half dimes
rhedden
Posts: 6,637 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here are some 1868 to 1870 half dimes from my personal collection. The first 1868 is my icon coin, and shown below is the worst possible coin photo ever taken. The actual coin is a monster PCGS PR65 CAM that is almost DCAM and has a sandblasted look to Liberty's portrait. It has colorful, attractive rim toning all around the obverse that would probably double its value in an auction. There are some faint hairlines in the fields, but it is quite a coin nonetheless. I need to borrow my friend's camera and get some photos that show the way it really looks. The 1868-p is a scarce business strike that has gained interest and value in recent years. The two I have are nice original coins, but the first one has a miniscule bend that is barely visible, even in person, unfortunately. The second is a nice F-VF. The 1868-s is probably the commonest S-mint in the 1860's, and is not too difficult to locate in higher grades. I have an AU that was dipped to death and a F/VF coin that is closer to original, but has no LIBERTY on the shield whatsoever. The 1869 is a proof with strong cameo contract on both sides, but you can see that it has a good sized hairline scratch. I didn't submit that one to PCGS because of the scratch, but it has incredible eye appeal otherwise. The first 1869-s is a coin that was dipped and has retoned in horrible colors after 40 years in an album. I think it should be dipped again, personally, since it appears to be XF-45 to AU-50, and the "toning" is probably detrimental to its value, if anything. What do you think? The 1870 coins are fairly common, and at least one of mine is an XF. I don't have a proof for this date (the horror.) The "1870-S" is one I found while metal detecting on the lawn of the San Francisco mint. Kidding, but I bet it made you look twice. It's a composite image of the obverse of the first 1870-p and the reverse of an 1872-S. If I listed it on ebay and started it at a buck, where do you think it would end up? (private auction, of course!).
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I actually have too many of them. I bought a complete collection, and included with it was another hoard of 225 "extra" half dimes that I grudgingly purchased in order to get a better deal on the whole lot. Now I am paying the price because I have to sell the duplicates and recover the $$ I sank into them.
<< <i>It seems like you have an unlimited supply of half dimes to post
I actually have too many of them. I bought a complete collection, and included with it was another hoard of 225 "extra" half dimes that I grudgingly purchased in order to get a better deal on the whole lot. Now I am paying the price because I have to sell the duplicates and recover the $$ I sank into them. >>
I still have a home for that clipped 1850...
Also, I've thoroughly enjoyed your picture posts, I can appreciate the effort that has gone into your set.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor