Your grade opinion on an 1830 O-114, please.

[edmerlr]

I would like your grade opinon on the following 1830 O-114 large letters.

 

But first, with your patience, I would like to talk about this die marriage.

 

It is commonly known among Bust Half specialists that the 1830 O-114, R5 Large Letters is the most frequently misattributed Bustie. (followed by the 1836 O-121, R5+ and then probably the 1836 O-116a, R6+ in frequency of misattribution)

 

I have never understood why the 1830 O-114 is so often misattributed. They are very easy to spot. In fact, I look for another one at every coin show I attend AND I try to check every 1830 that appears on eBay.

 

Even though the O-114 is rarity rated R5, Edgar Souders in Bust Half Fever II says the O-114 "...is almost impossible to locate, with only 29 examples (in all grades) reported." 29 examples would make the correct rarity a R6-.

 

There is no interesting story on how I found my O-114: I was offered the coin. I knew I would probably never be offered another one in my lifetime. I raised the cash. I bought the coin.

 

...but it would be - for me - the "ultimate cherrypick" to find another example of this die marriage.

 

The O-114 is also called the "UNITEDSTATES" variety with these two words ran together - there is only 1mm between the D and the S.

 

These two words ran together is the first thing I look for when I look at the 1830's on eBay.

 

Other quick indentifiers are:

 

(1) A die chip in the upper loop of the 3. The O-114 was struck by overse Die 7-s2. This was the second use of this obverse die. This die was first used to strike the "slightly uncommon" O-113, R2. Late Die States of the O-113 also have this die chip in the loop. The O-115, R3 - struck with a different obverse die - has also been seen with a die chip in the upper loop of the 3. (Perhaps this explains why some coins are misattributed as the O-114.)

 

Here is the die chip in the 3:

 

(2) On the O-114's reverse the right side of the 2nd T in STATES and the I in PLURIBUS are in line. Also the right side of the stand of the D in UNITED is in line with the right side of stand of E in E PLURIBUS.

 

(3) The ME of AMERICA are close together with the base of the E higher.

 

This is the only use of this specific reverse die in 1830. No other 1830 reverse is like it. This was the second and last time the reverse die was used. It was used two years prior to strike the 1828 O-122.

 

Here is my 1830 O-114, R5 large letters:

 

(Note the green in the word LIBERTY. You can not see this green, caused by PVC contamination, on a coin [usually] until you scan the coin. A quick acetone bath will remove the green without hurting the coin. Immediately after I looked at the scan and saw the green on the coin, I removed the contamination.)

 

I bought the coin raw and I have graded it (conservatively, I think) an EF-40+. I am not sure if you would agree. (Notice the very faint "X" scratched on the 50 of 50 C.) HOW WOULD YOU GRADE IT?

 

[MBA101]

It looks like a decent XF 45 to me. Thanks for the explanation!

[BillJones]

Without the "X" I'd grade it EF-40, maybe 45 if there is a fair amount of luster between the letters. With the "X" I'd say EF-40 with nothing "PQ" about it for the grade because of the mark.

[MikeInFL]

XF details, scratched, net VF

[James_OldeTowne]

The hairline scratches have no impact on the grade for me. I call it a strict EF-40.

 

How much?

 

[123cents]

EF-45 details.

[MarkFeld]

I guess I'm "high" and will go with AU50.

[jtryka]

I'd say XF, the scractch could downgrade it, but it doesn't bother me that much.

[bsshog40]

Not much on overtons, but I do agree with the EF45.

[GAB]

I was trying to decide between XF-40 and XF-45 before I read your story and saw your grade. I was basing this solely on the amount and location of the rubs on the Obverse.

The reverse looks more like AU, except for the X. A very nice coin for such a rarity.

[JRocco]

Hi Ed, I see a solid 45 there. The wear pattern I see is the wear of a 45.

Nice post.

[Mozin]

Without the grafitti on the reverse 50, I would think NGC 45. ANACS would likely net it VF 30. Hairlines are one thing but grafitti is cause for a larger downgrade.

 

I doubt I will ever own this marriage.

 

Nice write up Ed.