Rapid Book Review: The Draped Bust Half Dollar of 1796-1797 (Jon Amato)

[James_OldeTowne]

I do not have any references specific to the great, wonderful and majestic Draped Bust Small Eagle (DBSE) half-dollar, so I ordered this book from Heritage: The Draped Bust Half Dollar of 1796-1797, written by Jon Amato, published by Heritage Auctions. I didn't realize prior to purchase that the book is (evidently) an attempt to census the entire known population of DBSE halves, and it is a rather monumental undertaking in that regard, not unlike the census of known 1794 dollars.

 

Here are quick points on what I like and don't like about the book:

 

LIKE

 

1. "Grade" is given as an overall non-numeric, as with old time nomenclature. It's "Very Fine obverse, Digs, Fine reverse" rather than "VF-35". I love this. It gives these historic coins their just due rather than the inscrutability of a single number. Of course, sometimes a mere "Very Fine" suffices, but the author doesn't make any foolish attempt to try to fine-tune it down to impossibly precise arithmetic. Appropriately, there are times when certified numeric grades are quoted as supporting reference.

 

2. "Provenance" - extremely valuable and informative, along with identification markers that are mentioned, not to denigrate a specific coin, but instead to help identify it in the future.

 

3. One coin per page - the pages are not overcrowded with senseless verbiage and trivial data.

 

4. Image quality - very good in my opinion. Also, it looks like for coins that haven't been seen in a long time, archive images were digitally reproduced and possibly enhanced in an effort to complete the photographic record. Awesome!

 

5. Objectivity - the book is clearly not intended to sway opinion in any particular way for any particular subject.

 

6. No advertisements!! None of the -- shall we say -- prolific ads that usually accompany a Heritage publication.

 

DISLIKE

 

1. Just one... it's softcover. In fact, I think it must be printed on the same equipment that produces Heritage auction catalogs. I understand the cost savings factor, but this is the kind of material that I am Geek enough to read cover to cover, and I wish I had more confidence in the durability.

 

My rating: 4.5 stars (out of five)

[Tradedollarnut]

Draped bust HALF dollar?

[physics-fan3.14]

Is this about the dollar or the half dollar? I thought I read somewhere that Heritage was releasing a book about the half dollar, but the price seemed really high. Is it worth the price?

[James_OldeTowne]

Draped bust HALF dollar?

If you own two, it's a dollar ! Correction made.

 

Is this about the dollar or the half dollar? I thought I read somewhere that Heritage was releasing a book about the half dollar, but the price seemed really high. Is it worth the price?

The price probably is rather high for a general audience, but for me, it was worth it. There's just about no 18th century silver that I can afford, let alone a DBSE half, so a compendium like this lets me enjoy the coins virtually. Buy it only if you have particular interest in early halves.

[Conder101]

Considering I paid $150 for the 1794 dollar book (Hardbound, the softbound was $125) I don't think the price is too bad.

[physics-fan3.14]

James, has this book been released? I was looking for it on the Heritage site, but I can't find it.

[coinman_23885]

James, has this book been released? I was looking for it on the Heritage site, but I can't find it.

 

Yes.

 

https://www.ha.com/c/catalog-orders.zx?catalog=EarlyHalfDollars

[Hard Times]

You can find it by going clicking the Auction tab, then clicking 'View Full Schedule', then clicking on 'Order Catalog', it is under 'Special Offers'.

 

Best, HT

[James_OldeTowne]

James, has this book been released? I was looking for it on the Heritage site, but I can't find it.

I only heard of it via a Heritage spam eMail, which contained a link.

 

(This is no complaint -- I do not mind spam from Heritage.)