1826 bust half, counterfeit? (large pictures)
haww
Posts: 25
Hello, first post here, and I hope you guys can help. I recently picked up this 1826 half dollar, and it doesn't really match up with any obverses or reverses for the date. On the obverse, the upper left star is noticably lower, and the period aftter 50 C. on the reverse is higher (further from the rim). Additionally, the D of UNITED and the S of STATES are very close, and OF is close to both the S in STATES and the A in AMERICA.
The weight is 13.1 grams, and it looks, feels, and sounds like silver. The edge lettering looks about right. What else should I be looking for?
The highest star is right by the headband.
The 8 in the date seems to be inverted?
The period after 50 C.
OF is close, and the F is tilted.
50 C looks quadrupled? Extremely clear in hand.
The C is also quadrupled. There is a scratch (not super visible in the pic) going to the claw.
Thanks for looking!! I am very much looking forward to getting some opinions on this.
-haww
The weight is 13.1 grams, and it looks, feels, and sounds like silver. The edge lettering looks about right. What else should I be looking for?
The highest star is right by the headband.
The 8 in the date seems to be inverted?
The period after 50 C.
OF is close, and the F is tilted.
50 C looks quadrupled? Extremely clear in hand.
The C is also quadrupled. There is a scratch (not super visible in the pic) going to the claw.
Thanks for looking!! I am very much looking forward to getting some opinions on this.
-haww
0
Comments
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
but, WELCOME to the CU Forum!
bob
Barndog: Yeah, not sure what's going on but figured it was still pretty close.. not too far off normal. Here are 3 full pictures. My camera is not so great, the others were taken with a loupe.
Hope that helps!
Here is a link to Bust Half Help
Welcome to the boards....
The goofy stars are one real give-away.
Another, and your right...it doesn't fit any known 1826 obverse die.
Your picture clarity doesn't matter in this case.
and there is one going on ebay today,thats not advertised as a c/f,that I'm watching.
Everybody stay away.
Sorry it's a counterfeit, hope it did not set you back much.
Welcome.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>Hello, first post here, and I hope you guys can help. I recently picked up this 1826 half dollar, and it doesn't really match up with any obverses or reverses for the date. On the obverse, the upper left star is noticably lower, and the period aftter 50 C. on the reverse is higher (further from the rim). Additionally, the D of UNITED and the S of STATES are very close, and OF is close to both the S in STATES and the A in AMERICA. The weight is 13.1 grams, and it looks, feels, and sounds like silver. The edge lettering looks about right. What else should I be looking for? The highest star is right by the headband. The C is also quadrupled. There is a scratch (not super visible in the pic) going to the claw. Thanks for looking!! I am very much looking forward to getting some opinions on this. -haww >>
A better camara or better glasses to help focus.
BTW, welcome
I have only been collecting for about a year, and just about all of my money has gone into books, not coins. I got this coin in a group with an 1822 half, a bunch of assorted 1800's foreign, and a couple barbers. It didn't cost too much altogether, but was an interesting lot and I am happy with it.
The 1822 also looks to be a fake, but it's harder for me to say for sure. I will post pictures of that one in a new thread probably -- but after I get a new camera. I probably will just go and order one of the Dino Lite's I heard so much about on here.
I can all but guarantee that the busts were not recent purchases off ebay or whatever, as the previous owners had no interest in them, and said they had been just sitting in a box for many years.
Mozin: Any identifying features I should be looking for to see if it is in fact 3C? I probably will try and pick up the Davignon book in the near future, but if you know of any specific diagnostics I could look for in the mean time, that would be great.
Again, I really appreciate all of the replies!
-haww
1822 NGC AU-55 Capped Bust Half
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>Mozin: Any identifying features I should be looking for to see if it is in fact 3C? I probably will try and pick up the Davignon book in the near future, but if you know of any specific diagnostics I could look for in the mean time, that would be great. >>
I am not Mozin, but here is the description for 3C in Davignon.
Reverse
"United States of America" is one word.
Very thin scroll, S centered under S
Left edge of scroll--Below right 1/4 of E
Right edge of scroll--Below left serif, right stand of M
Obverse
Tall thin date
Stars on left are thin and crowded.
It does (from your pics look like 3/C.
The lack of separation between "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" was the first real oddity I noticed with this, and it perfectly fits all the other characteristics you listed as well.
Nice to know what I have now, it would've drove me crazy
-haww
There are plenty of collectors of bogus Bust Half Dollars out there. My guess is your specimen is worth around $300, more or less depending on the top two bidders wanting the best known example. Sheridan Downey might include such a specimen in his next auction coming up soon.