Three cool new half dime purchases from the BST forum
rhedden
Posts: 6,632 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here are three cool new half dimes I got from the BST forum from board member tmot99, who says he's given up on his half dime Registry set. He had several others I would have gladly absorbed, but my coin budget for this fall is overspent.
The 1840-O With Drapery is one of the key dates to the series. This one is PCGS VF-35. It's an XF coin that retains detail in the head, but the toning is a bit spotty and it has some signs of an old cleaning, so PCGS net graded it a bit, I think. It should be easy to attribute thanks to the die crack extending from the lower right wreath stem to the rim, but I haven't done it yet. This coin is a big upgrade for my set from a VG-8 coin that was formerly the best I could locate.
The 1850 is a date that took me a long time to find in Unc., although it is a relatively common date, because the coins I have seen are either overgraded or overpriced. The best coin in my set was formerly a dipped/retoned XF-AU coin with a small rim clip. For some reason, I see many of this date with navy blue toning. The last one I attempted to purchase was a slabbed MS-63 that looked like it might be an AU-58 when I received it. It went back, but I was really happy when tmot99 decided to let me have this one for a reasonable price. It's a PCGS MS-64, with a fully prooflike & frosted obverse, and that killer blue toning.
Finally, there is an 1868-S in PCGS MS-63. It's accurately graded. Not exactly the rarest "S" mint in BU, but it's way better than the 1872-S and 1873-S. These always seem to come with the reverse die cracks. Has anyone seen an example with a perfect reverse?
Overall, I have to say tmot99 has a good eye for coins, and I'm pleased that I was able to add these three to my set.
The 1840-O With Drapery is one of the key dates to the series. This one is PCGS VF-35. It's an XF coin that retains detail in the head, but the toning is a bit spotty and it has some signs of an old cleaning, so PCGS net graded it a bit, I think. It should be easy to attribute thanks to the die crack extending from the lower right wreath stem to the rim, but I haven't done it yet. This coin is a big upgrade for my set from a VG-8 coin that was formerly the best I could locate.
The 1850 is a date that took me a long time to find in Unc., although it is a relatively common date, because the coins I have seen are either overgraded or overpriced. The best coin in my set was formerly a dipped/retoned XF-AU coin with a small rim clip. For some reason, I see many of this date with navy blue toning. The last one I attempted to purchase was a slabbed MS-63 that looked like it might be an AU-58 when I received it. It went back, but I was really happy when tmot99 decided to let me have this one for a reasonable price. It's a PCGS MS-64, with a fully prooflike & frosted obverse, and that killer blue toning.
Finally, there is an 1868-S in PCGS MS-63. It's accurately graded. Not exactly the rarest "S" mint in BU, but it's way better than the 1872-S and 1873-S. These always seem to come with the reverse die cracks. Has anyone seen an example with a perfect reverse?
Overall, I have to say tmot99 has a good eye for coins, and I'm pleased that I was able to add these three to my set.
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Comments
Oh, nice coins, too.
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
<< <i>I'd like to see that 1850 in a PCGS image. They've got coin photography pretty well figured out. >>
What are you saying, I take lousy pictures??
Glad everything worked out.
I agree- they made the 1868-S look like an MS-65! The 1850 is a better coin (grade-wise) than the 1868-s, which is immediately obvious in person. This is not a knock on Tom's photography, as all of my photos of these coins were horrible compared to his.
Dave
I picked up the 1853 Arrows he had for my type set. AU58.
Edit: There are some really cool half dimes still available. I love the 1837.
I like the 68-S especially, cool die cracks!
-Amanda
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