Roller Marks on Capped Bust Half Dime?

Barndog · June 29, 2007 7:38AM

Here are some close-up photos of a capped bust half dime from 1833 with what I believe to be adjustment marks. Anyone have much experience with these on capped bust half dimes? What do the TPGs "do about such things" when considering assignment of grade?

edit: changed title from adjustment marks to roller marks.

Baley · June 29, 2007 8:38AM

I don't think they were adjusting planchets by hand file in 1833 as they did in the 1794-1807 period.

and an 1833 half dime?

much more likely to be post-mint damage, don't you think?

Barndog · June 29, 2007 8:48AM

<< <i>I don't think they were adjusting planchets by hand file in 1833 as they did in the 1794-1807 period.

and an 1833 half dime?

much more likely to be post-mint damage, don't you think? >>

I've seen a similar coin in Jack Beymer's inventory. He said the marks were "roller marks" or something to that effect. The coin is otherwise pristine.

PocketEasyTreasures · June 29, 2007 8:50AM

I don't believe that is post mint damage. It may just be roller marks.

MrHalfDime · June 29, 2007 8:56AM

I think that Baley is probably correct, that adjustment marks, caused by files used to 'adjust' overweight planchets down to a specified weight, were no longer a part of the minting process by 1833. Improvements in the rolling mills and planchet cutters assured a more uniform weight to the planchets by that time. I also think that Jack Beymer may have stated it correctly, that the parallel lines you see on your coin were likely caused by the rollers of the rolling mill, used to roll the coinage strip to a uniform specified thickness before the planchets were punched out. This is just my opinion, but we really do not see adjustment marks on the Capped Bust half dimes to the extent that they appeared on the previous Draped Bust and Flowing Hair series.

Cladiator · June 29, 2007 9:54AM

I've seen the Beymer coin Barndog mentions and the marks are nearly identical.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · June 29, 2007 9:56AM

planchet sriations, IMHO

CaptainRon · June 29, 2007 10:32AM

Out of curiosity, I must ask a couple of questions:

1. Barndog, when you are studying the coin and coming up with your own assigned grade, do you nock it a point or two for the lines?
2. Do you think these lines would bother you more if you were not 100% convinced that they were not post mint damage?
3. Since this is such a tiny coin, (I think it's only has a 15mm diameter) can you actually see lines on the coin when viewing it without the aid of a glass or a super closeup photo?

Ron

Barndog · June 29, 2007 10:50AM

<< <i>Out of curiosity, I must ask a couple of questions:

1. Barndog, when you are studying the coin and coming up with your own assigned grade, do you nock it a point or two for the lines?
2. Do you think these lines would bother you more if you were not 100% convinced that they were not post mint damage?
3. Since this is such a tiny coin, (I think it's only has a 15mm diameter) can you actually see lines on the coin when viewing it without the aid of a glass or a super closeup photo?

Ron >>

good questions, here's what I think:

1. I grade the coin as 64. Personally, when something is 65 or better, I expect "GEM" surfaces.
2. I'm 100% convinced the lines are not post mint damage and they do not bother me at all. I would be very bothered (and wouldn't own the coin) if the marks were post-mint damage.
3. I can barely see half dimes with my vision these days!

Anyone have more examples of roller marks on coins?

Baley · June 29, 2007 12:26PM

planchet striations/roller marks I can more easily imagine, although they'd have to be pretty deep to persist through the minting.

the effect on the "grade" i.e. price would be dependent on your ability to convince a buyer they're not only not damage, but not undesireable.

I'd knock it down a point or two myself, as in I'd prefer they're not there.

Writersblock · June 29, 2007 1:37PM

I'm not sure about them not still doing hand adjustments at that time. I believe I have seen references to hand adjustments as late as the 1870's, at least for the silver dollar coinage. And I would not be surprised to find it done on the lesser coins up to at least 1853 when the weight of the minor coins was reduced and they were made subsidiary coins.

Roller Marks on Capped Bust Half Dime?

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