Not another "Most Beautifully toned Bust half I've ever seen!" thread...

[coinman1794]

Carl,

 

Apology accepted. My only intention in regard to grading this piece is to have a discussion about the nuances of grading a coin like this.

 

Bust halves are so well known for weak strike, that the references need not mention them by variety, ad nauseum. The high relief of the design often led to weakness on the drapery and the eagles wing, and often on the reverse ribbon. This type of occasional weakness would not be mentioned except in extreme cases. The references tend to focus on specific die defects that caused weakness.

 

There are distinctive differences in the shape and appearance of the Bust styles, running the length of the series. Some of these are the result of reworking of hubs, and others the result of alterations made to individual dies.

 

[physics-fan3.14]

I think the early types (1807 through about 1817) are more known for their weak strikes, and the strike plays more heavily into the grading than the later subtypes. Especially on the subtype one, the strike tends to be very weak.

[coinman1794]

These are not related to the 1831 and 1832 dies I mentioned earlier. These are 1832 O-113A, a notorious late die state that comes with flattened features much of the time. I wish I had more pictures of these saved. Both are dripping with luster and have the same flat spots, though the toning schemes create additional contrast. One is XF45, one is AU53.

 

[jom]

I don't know if it helps but these coins are AU....

 

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jom

[McBlzr]

jom,

 

Those two CBH's are GRRRR..............ate !

 

'32 Large Letters with the Die Break on Rev.

[coinman1794]

These are great coins, but they are not examples of flat strike with wear over top. They also look substantially nicer than AU50, though if the luster is muted they could be netted at AU50.

 

The obverse is very well struck on the 1831, though the claws and talons are weak. Only the bust line is weakly struck on the 1832 O-101A. I'm always amazed this die marriage does not come weak due to the heavy break.

 

Two beautiful coins!