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A little about 1823 Bust Half dollars

Started by Keigwin,

19 posts in this topic

Keigwin

Keigwin

Posted
Posted

1823 gave us some fun varieties due to weird 3 numerals in the date. We have the broken 3, patched 3, ugly 3...even the tampered-with 3.

 

The 3 punch had not been used in 10 years and the new style punch, with its curvy upper loop (as opposed to a straight top 3) is believed to have been defective. But deemed good enough. It was used to produce O.101 broken 3 halves. Al Overton suggested that the top half of a 2 punch was used and that is why the 3 appears broken. But diagnostics prove the shape was not correct. Early research blamed an inept Mint worker, substituting for a gravely ill Robert Scot (Kneass was not hired until Jan 1824). It is illogical to assume he blundered just once and afterward produced flawless 3's.

 

(compare the numeral 3 styles)

1813_zps3db18b10.png

 

broken_zpsc4c3742b.png

 

Whatever the case the broken 3 variety is very collectible and it took a few purchases before I acquired the one below. It was submitted for photographing and I bought it on the spot.

 

1823O101PCGSAU50obv_zpsb4c5d77c.jpg1823O101PCGSAU50rev_zps0527e830.jpg

 

 

 

At some point Mint officials chose to touch up the working die that had been producing broken 3 varieties. The results would turn out less than graceful.

 

The softened die was struck with a short blunt punch to impart a "connection" to the separated 3 pieces and the "patched 3" was born. The die was placed back in service (O.101a) and later mated to a new reverse (O.102), giving us two patched-3 die marriages.

 

patched_zps7aaf680b.png

 

1823O101aPCGSAU55obv_zpsf27e999d.jpg1823O101aPCGSAU55rev_zps7ff079c2.jpg

 

 

 

The O.110 was the 4th die pair in the 1823 emission sequence (which began with O.109). It followed the broken 101 and patched 101a & 102 and gave us the "ugly 3" (O.110a), probably the most popular of the collectible 3's. The truly ugly 3 was the result of a die crack from the rim upward which simply broke away the right side of the numeral. It was not from further Mint meddling.

 

ugly_zps966d3b5f.png

 

1823O110aUgly3PCGSXF40obv_zps7cee8f68.jpg1823O110aUgly3PCGSXF40rev_zpsaee0ad94.jpg

 

 

 

Lastly we have the "tampered with" 3 variety (O.106). It doesn't earn respect as a major Redbook variety. And it is probably misnamed. Researchers figure it was nothing more than a simple die chip. But it further illustrates the difficulties the Mint was having with the new stylized 3 punch. (The 108a is yet another example of a repaired 3.)

 

tampered_zps0d114684.png

 

1823O106aPCGSAU58obv_zps9aaa5bb0.jpg1823O106aPCGSAU58rev_zps9a7d5f70.jpg

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$ilverHawk

$ilverHawk

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Great presentation and supporting photographs. Your posting is worthy of publication. Very nice CBH s.

 

Edgar Souders also offers a very incisive exploration of the 1823 Bust Half Dollar numeral "3" varieties in "Bust Half Fever".

 

IMO Your presentation with supporting photographs is clearer than Souders.

 

Carl

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Nutmeg Coin

Nutmeg Coin

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My experience is that the Bust half market is not all that strong for selling unless the coin is 110% there; exceptions would be super rare varieties and dates. I have sent a number of Bust coins to CAC, they are pretty fussy on what they will sticker and then the offers are not that strong relative to all the trouble of finding nice ones and going through the process of marketing them.

 

A dealer in Lebanon, NH has a PCI MS64 Bust half, later common date, in his case for a long time. He said a major well known buyer said it was either what PCI called it or AU58, he wants 64 money for the heavily toned coin. As usual non-NGC or PCGS certified Bust coins are not worth the risk.

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jimjum12

jimjum12

Posted
Posted
Nice overview of 1823 halves. Mine's a common one.

 

23o112.jpg

 

..... nothing common about that beauty, brother. What a keeper...... GOD BLESS...

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

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