1853-o half dime no arrows

awlgone2000 · November 3, 2009 10:06AM

Found this 1853-o half dime with no arrows with my metal detector around an old fort in Nevada.... I have not cleaned, but have been told there is a "dig" on the coin, which would keep it from being graded. I was also told the dime is still worth something ungraded, and that having it graded and marked as "damaged"would not add to any value. What do you think of the coin and what should I do moving forward with it. Thanks.

Here are the photos....the date is clear, since most I have seen the left side of the date is always very weak on this half dime....

I dont know how to make the pictures bigger....sorry, I am new to the site and coin collecting... link to picture on photobucket is: http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/awlgone2000/halfdimedug2.jpg. The other side of the coin is http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/awlgone2000/halfdimedug.jpg.

coindeuce · November 3, 2009 10:12AM

Posting images here would be the next step if you want quality opinions. Short of that, only a guess can be hazarded. I'll play. If the "dig" is not extensive and is not over a key feature of the design, it is worth somewhere North of $100.

Bithrate · November 3, 2009 10:12AM

Pics?

lathmach · November 3, 2009 10:15AM

Is the date full and clear?

Ray

pakasmom · November 3, 2009 10:17AM

Map to the dig site?

Barndog · November 3, 2009 10:59AM

fcloud · November 3, 2009 11:06AM

Looks like a nice little find.

seateddime · November 3, 2009 11:09AM

I would buy that coin in a second~

richardshipp · November 3, 2009 11:12AM

That would be an incredible find. Don't clean it and don't take premature offers until you know it's true value.

Having recently sold one myself and having several pictures to compare to... my guess is that it is the real deal. Often these have been altered from the arrows variety which is far less valuable. If you have a real good scale, you should weigh the coin and let us know what it weighs in grams. The "arrowed" variety weighs less than the "No Arrow" (NA) variety does.

I'll have to do some more searching but I have a list of known diagnostics for a real 1853-O NA HD that I received from Mr. Half Dime. Hopefully, he'll chime in.

IF the coin is legit I'd guess it's worth a lot closer to $1000 than it is to $100. As far as how to proceed, I disagree that getting it into a genuine holder won't add value. If you can get it into a PCGS Genuine holder the authenticity of the piece would not be in question and folks will pay more (IMO) for the coin.

EDIT: Below is diagnostics for an 1853-O NA Half Dime provided to me by Mr. Halfdime. I don't think he'd mind my sharing them with you. Best Wishes and let us know the results.

The specific date placement on a genuine 1853-O NA V1 half dime is as follows:

Weak date, particularly at the lower left. 1 touches base; 8 5 close to base; 3 low.

Shield Line (SL-7) This refers to an imaginary line running vertically up the right side of the upright of the 1 in the date. The placement "7" indicates which vertical shield line (pale) the imaginary line aligns with.

Shield Point (SP) over the right edge of the upright of the 1 in the date.

Bulla (pendant) between the 5 and 3 of the date.

Date numeral placement relative to dentils below:

1/SP 8/SP 5/SP 3/DLE

1 centered over a space between dentils
8 centered over a space between dentils
5 centered over a space between dentils
3 over the left edge of a dentil

For the reverse die, the mint mark measures 1.2 mm high, and is slightly right of the center of the bow. The mint mark is incomplete at the top left. The dentils are weak above STATES OF.

awlgone2000 · November 3, 2009 12:15PM

awlgone2000 · November 3, 2009 12:21PM

I know the coin is genuine and has not been tampered with, as I pulled it out of the sand in the Nevada desert, near the original Central Pacific Railroad / California Trail. I have not even cleaned the dirt off. My brother thought it might be one of the rare half dimes, with the "O" mark and no arrows next to the date. Someone told me to lay it on the table and make sure it was flat and not bent. It was perfectly flat...do you think someone would want to purchase it without having it graded, etc.? I really appreciate you help. At the same site, we found an 1865-S coin in the same area.

<img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/awlgone2000/IMG_0799.jpg" border="0" alt="1865-S Half 2">

richardshipp · November 3, 2009 12:26PM

<< <i>I know the coin is genuine and has not been tampered with, as I pulled it out of the sand in the Nevada desert, near the original Central Pacific Railroad / California Trail. I have not even cleaned the dirt off. My brother thought it might be one of the rare half dimes, with the "O" mark and no arrows next to the date. Someone told me to lay it on the table and make sure it was flat and not bent. It was perfectly flat...do you think someone would want to purchase it without having it graded, etc.? I really appreciate you help. At the same site, we found an 1865-S coin in the same area.

<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/awlgone2000/?action=view¤t=IMG_0799.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/awlgone2000/IMG_0799.jpg" border="0" alt="1865-S Half 2"></A> >>

If your intent is to sell it then why wouldn't you want to have the coin authenticated, especially if it would mean the coin would likely sell at a higher amount?

crypto79 · November 3, 2009 12:30PM

<< <i>That would be an incredible find. Don't clean it and don't take premature offers until you know it's true value.

Having recently sold one myself and having several pictures to compare to... my guess is that it is the real deal. Often these have been altered from the arrows variety which is far less valuable. If you have a real good scale, you should weigh the coin and let us know what it weighs in grams. The "arrowed" variety weighs less than the "No Arrow" (NA) variety does.

I'll have to do some more searching but I have a list of known diagnostics for a real 1853-O NA HD that I received from Mr. Half Dime. Hopefully, he'll chime in.

IF the coin is legit I'd guess it's worth a lot closer to $1000 than it is to $100. As far as how to proceed, I disagree that getting it into a genuine holder won't add value. If you can get it into a PCGS Genuine holder the authenticity of the piece would not be in question and folks will pay more (IMO) for the coin.

EDIT: Below is diagnostics for an 1853-O NA Half Dime provided to me by Mr. Halfdime. I don't think he'd mind my sharing them with you. Best Wishes and let us know the results.

The specific date placement on a genuine 1853-O NA V1 half dime is as follows:

Weak date, particularly at the lower left. 1 touches base; 8 5 close to base; 3 low.

Shield Line (SL-7) This refers to an imaginary line running vertically up the right side of the upright of the 1 in the date. The placement "7" indicates which vertical shield line (pale) the imaginary line aligns with.

Shield Point (SP) over the right edge of the upright of the 1 in the date.

Bulla (pendant) between the 5 and 3 of the date.

Date numeral placement relative to dentils below:

1/SP 8/SP 5/SP 3/DLE

1 centered over a space between dentils
8 centered over a space between dentils
5 centered over a space between dentils
3 over the left edge of a dentil

For the reverse die, the mint mark measures 1.2 mm high, and is slightly right of the center of the bow. The mint mark is incomplete at the top left. The dentils are weak above STATES OF. >>

He's right, There are several dealers that can help you with that and can be trusted. Should pay top dollar as that very coin is pretty hot right now.

rich uhrich

DIck osburn

awlgone2000 · November 3, 2009 1:23PM

Embarassed to say, but I have found many old coins over the years, some pretty cool, but never had one graded or sold any.

crypto79 · November 4, 2009 4:16AM

you have a winner

Tdec1000 · November 4, 2009 5:15AM

awlgone2000 turn your PM function on.

partagas · November 4, 2009 6:38AM

You can reasonably expect $350-$500 for that coin as is. More towards the $500 if you take the time and expense to get it certified. The coin likely exhibits porosity due to being under ground. If you have one of the miracle coins that comes out and grades VF at NGC or PCGS then you can expect considerably more $$$.

CoinSeeker · November 4, 2009 6:55AM

Very nice find & welcome. Lots to learn here.

ricko · November 4, 2009 7:20AM

Awesome find... you hit a winner with that one... Cheers, RickO

1853-o half dime no arrows

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