Options
Bought my first bust half at the Modesto show
ChrisRx
Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
Don't know anything about this series. Any good books you recommend?
Yikes. Those hairlines on the reverse are not on the coin.
Yikes. Those hairlines on the reverse are not on the coin.
0
Comments
Bust Half Fever by Edgar Souders is just about the best book on those coins available. Might want to look into getting the Overton reference book as well (hint - get the 3rd edition, not the 4th).
1) For early half dollars, the classic reference for variety identification is United States Early Half Dollars and Die Varieties 1794-1836 by Al Overton. Unfortunately, the newly published fourth edition of this classic has the name of his son-in-law as the author, Don Parsley, in my opinion this is a travesty since the work is nearly entirely that of Al Overton while Don Parsley has updated it since Al's death in 1970. I own both the third (1990) and fourth (2005) editions, but I have found that I do not even open the fourth edition because it has so little extra that was not in the third edition. The first and second editions are clearly not as useful and I would suggest you save your money and buy one of these later editions. You may find these editions on ebay or online through Stack's or Sheridan Downey. Though you should be able to find these at $50-$65, plan on spending at least $35 for a used edition and up to $85 for the new edition.
2) Edgar Souders published Bust Half Fever in 1995 and a new edition, that I believe is greatly expanded and has more information, was published in 2005. This book contains much more history of the time and delves more into how the coins were used, made and collected. The book is terrific. You may find the paper or electronic version on ebay or through Stack's. I believe the second edition is approximately $85 while the first edition, which is long out of print, will likely run you about $115.
3) Contemporary Counterfeit Capped Bust Half Dollars written in 1996 by Keith Davignon, deals only with counterfeits passed off in the channels of commerce, as its name implies. It may be pricey at about $50 for this esoteric niche, but it is terrific, too.
4) Jules Reiver published the ultimate Variety Identification Manual for Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839 in 1988 but this is nearly impossible to find in print and I purchased my copy after looking for several years and paid about $50. Heritage now offers this manual online and free to read, though it is even more difficult to use in the online format.
5) The ANS publication titled America's Silver Coinage 1794-1891 from the ANS Coinage of the Americas Conference in 1986 is fantastic. The book itself was published in 1987 and can be had for $15. It contains myriad intellectual research articles on early silver coinage.
6) There are also a pair of specialized price guides that are dedicated to the early half dollar niche and include Bust Half Quotes by Fricke and Karoleff as well as Auction and Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars 1794-1839 by Herrman and Downey Mail Bid Sales by Herrman and Downey. Each of these is $20-$30 and may be picked up through Sheridan Downey.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I have tried to find the Reiver's manual and can't seem to get there. any help would be greatly appreciated.
ps
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum
Bust haves are a work of the devil.
They will consume you.
Be very afraid.
<< <i>re half.... as in reeded edge I am looking at lot 802 Auction 444 nice 1812 AU 58 where is the link please. >>
You of course won't see a link within lot 802 of auction 444 since an 1812 half is a Capped Bust half (CBH) and not a Reeded Edge half (RE). If you are interested in the Reiver VIM of RE halves then go to any RE half lot in the sale, such as 827, and the link is directly between the description of the lot and the price history for the issue.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
well of course I won't see it. and if I had read your whole description above, AGAIN, (I did read the original a few days ago), I would have figured that out.. all I saw was
Jules and half., guide. Didn't even see the REEDED part. As also mentioned above stay away!!!!!!!!!!!! they will drive you crazy, and stupid.
better stick to my day job during working hours.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
BHNC #198