This appears to be a Davignon 1837 2B (based on the attributions in Keith Davignon's 'Contemporary Counterfeit Bust Half Dollars') which is a fairly common variety, but one which has according to that book "often been mistaken for genuine US mint experimental pieces".
<< <i>coin in that condition is probably worth more as a counterfeit. guess the maker didn't realize that they changed designs in 37 >>
One guess is that the maker didn't realize the design had changed. Another is that he realized that the common small town shopkeeper would actually be more likely to accept a coin that looked like what he was used to seeing rather than one with designs he had never seen (and possibly never even heard of).
<< <i>This appears to be a Davignon 1837 2B (based on the attributions in Keith Davignon's 'Contemporary Counterfeit Bust Half Dollars') which is a fairly common variety >>
The Davigon book may call this piece "common", but one has to realize that "common" when it comes to bogus busties is usually considered to be a range of 10 to 20 known examples! IMO, definately underpriced at the 75 to 150 dollars that contemporary counterfeits seem to bring on ebay.
(Actually, I appreciate that they are undervalued on the bay.)
Edit to change 175 to 75. Bad typing--not bad pricing.
Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
Prices on the counterfeit Bust Half Dollars go all over the place, but I would guess $60 on this one. There are some serious counterfeit Bust Half Dollar collectors, but the big money is in those examples that are not so common.
I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
Comments
Sometimes the counterfeits are worth more than the real thing. I'd be interested in hearing what an expert has to say.
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Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
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<< <i>coin in that condition is probably worth more as a counterfeit. guess the maker didn't realize that they changed designs in 37 >>
One guess is that the maker didn't realize the design had changed. Another is that he realized that the common small town shopkeeper would actually be more likely to accept a coin that looked like what he was used to seeing rather than one with designs he had never seen (and possibly never even heard of).
<< <i>This appears to be a Davignon 1837 2B (based on the attributions in Keith Davignon's 'Contemporary Counterfeit Bust Half Dollars') which is a fairly common variety >>
The Davigon book may call this piece "common", but one has to realize that "common" when it comes to bogus busties is usually considered to be a range of 10 to 20 known examples! IMO, definately underpriced at the 75 to 150 dollars that contemporary counterfeits seem to bring on ebay.
(Actually, I appreciate that they are undervalued on the bay.)
Edit to change 175 to 75. Bad typing--not bad pricing.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson