Amazing 1312 bust half dollar - guesses?

zap1111 · October 16, 2006 10:59AM

I'm interested in gathering your opinions on what might have happened to the 8 in the date. As you can see, there is very little evidence of any damage anywhere else near the 8, other than perhaps on the first 1 (but none on the second 1). The denticles below and the bottom of the drapery above seem fine. Would this be an "as made" type of damage? That's an awfully tiny area for damage to have occured to the extent that it could wipe away part of the numeral. I'm stumped on this one.

Incidentally, this is a O. 107, what I like to call a early clash version. Toning in hand is more deep gun-metal blue around the periphary - I'm just learning how to shoot my coins. The position of the coin in reverse shot doesn't show the degree of die rotation.

Thanks for your opinions!

Leiana · October 16, 2006 11:08AM

My initial guess was that the die was damaged during the clash, but that doesn't make any sense after I think about it.

My second thought was that perhaps the eight was damaged during a re-lapping of the die to remove clash marks, but that doesn't really make sense either as you stated that this was an early clash state.

None of the above are possibly correct, though, if this eight is an isolated occurence (I am not familiar with the variety).

It could be a strike-through of some kind, but again I am guessing here.

-Amanda

zap1111 · October 16, 2006 11:16AM

Thanks, Amanda. As far as I know, this is an isolated incidence. All of your guesses have occured to me as well at one point or another. Hmmmn....

tsacch · October 16, 2006 11:19AM

Grease filled or schmutz filled die?

Cladiator · October 16, 2006 11:21AM

What's going on just above the left wing?

TheRegulator · October 16, 2006 11:32AM

I know next to nothing about Bust Halves, so with that said...

Looks like old intential damage/defacing to me- like someone was trying to turn the 8 into a 3. The die flow line breaks, different coloration in the area, and scrapes/damage in that area make it seem like post striking damage. Maybe someone was bored and took a pocket knife to it a long time ago...

Nice coin with definite character.

zap1111 · October 16, 2006 11:35AM

It's called a "defect die lump" and a "rough die lump" in the Overton book. It's standard issue for the O. 107, other than prime state coins, and it basically coincides with the appearance of most of the clashing. Somebody did a study of the advancement of this lump through the various stages of this die variety - I think it might have been Brad Karoleff in the John Reich Journal.

Aegis3 · October 16, 2006 11:41AM

<< <i>What's going on just above the left wing? >>

Could that be the shoulder clasp clash?

zap1111 · October 16, 2006 11:48AM

Aegis3,

That's an interesting guess on the die defect lump, but it's not in the proper position, based on some of the hair clashes from the back of the bust that you see in the field. With coin in hand, you see that it's indeed a lump of metal and not a clash mark.

JRocco · October 16, 2006 12:31PM

Hey zap111,
Nice images.
I love the variety and you have a nice example there.
I see just mechanical post mint damage to the 8. I think something happened to the coin a long time ago
in that one area either accidentally or intentionally (we will never know which).

Did I mention that is a really nice coin you got there??

mozin · October 16, 2006 2:32PM

<< <i>Hey zap111,
Nice images.
I love the variety and you have a nice example there.
I see just mechanical post mint damage to the 8. I think something happened to the coin a long time ago
in that one area either accidentally or intentionally (we will never know which).

Did I mention that is a really nice coin you got there??

>>

CaptHenway · October 16, 2006 2:58PM

I would guess a strike through on the date.
TD

Myqqy · October 16, 2006 3:03PM

I love the clash marks on that one!

MikeKing · October 16, 2006 10:20PM

I have to agree with post minting damage done a longtime ago.

mikeJ · October 16, 2006 10:39PM

A lot of fun stuff on this one, anybody notice the U just to the left of the 12th star ?

dorkkarl · October 16, 2006 11:02PM

looks like a partially filled die - no big deal.

K S

zap1111 · October 17, 2006 7:54AM

Thanks for all of the suggestions. It's fun to gather opinions and try to sort it all out. This coin sure has alot going on with it. Each time I take it out, I find myself spending a bit more time than normal on it, what with all of the clashing, die defect and weird date!

STONE · October 17, 2006 7:59AM

Awesome strike thru on that half.

BTW, that's the oldest Bust half I have ever seen

GoldenEyeNumismatics · October 17, 2006 11:30AM

Has anyone else noticed the bold letters going through the shield on the reverse?

They don't align with any letters on thwe obverse. What is up with that?

Leiana · October 17, 2006 11:33AM

<< <i>Has anyone else noticed the bold letters going through the shield on the reverse?

They don't align with any letters on thwe obverse. What is up with that? >>

The coin exhibits die rotation.

-Amanda

zap1111 · October 17, 2006 1:03PM

IMHO it's one of the GREAT clashes of the series.

TheCaveTroll · October 17, 2006 1:12PM

<< <i>Has anyone else noticed the bold letters going through the shield on the reverse?

They don't align with any letters on thwe obverse. What is up with that? >>

That is Liberty from her headband. As Amanda said, it must be rotated.

Amazing 1312 bust half dollar - guesses?

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