Above the Bow by Electric Peak Collection

[CSJournals-migration]

I added another variety to my half dime collection.

 

Almost three years ago I bought an 1872-S half dime for my set. It is a boldly colored (though unevenly so), well struck, lustrous, unmarked gem, graded MS67 by PCGS. It is a super coin. But I am going for more than just the registry set. I also want to get as many of the major and minor varieties as I can. This coin is an example of the Mint Mark Below Bow variety.

 

So I was pleased to get a near twin to that coin. From the Heritage auction at the FUN show earlier this month I obtained an example of the 1872-S MM Above Bow variety. Its coloration is similar, as are its other characteristics. It is in a PCGS MS66 holder, with CAC sticker.

 

Half Dimes were minted in San Francisco from 1863 until the denomination was ended in 1873. From 1863 through 1869, the S mint mark appears on the reverse, below the bow knot at the bottom of the wreath. The unique 1870-S coin (and presumably the one in the cornerstone of the second San Francisco mint building), and the 1871-S half dimes have the S inside the wreath, above the bow knot. In 1872, both mint mark positions occur, and in 1873, the series ends with the mint mark below the bow knot. To my knowledge, no one knows a specific reason for the changes in mint mark position.

 

Here is a shot of the reverse. After all, I can't write about this coin because of the mint mark and not show it, right? Enjoy, and have fun hunting the things you like.

 

Alan

 

See more journals by Electric Peak Collection

[hunter's gold]

A beautifully toned classic. Picking up a nice variety that is CAC certified is an added bonus.

[Six Mile Rick]

The mint mark lesson was well. I had no idea that there were 2 different positions. The above bow does look odd and would make me wonder if I had not known from reading this post.

MM Above bow --- Is that what they mean by Half Disme I have seen that in chats.

 

Thanks!!

[Electric Peak]

Hi Rick,

 

No, "disme" goes back to the 1792 half disme and disme coins, the first ones produced after the law establishing the mint was enacted, but before the first mint building was available for use (the 1793 S-1 chain cent was the first US federal coinage produced there). It's just an older form of "dime", apparently of French origin, meaning a tithe or tenth (and derived from the Latin word that also gave us "decimal"). But that is an interesting observation that never struck me before.

 

Alan

[Six Mile Rick]

Thanks Alan,

There is so much information on coins that a lifetime study will miss much of it. Every day there is something new to add in my head that seems swelled from all the previous information crammed in there already.

 

Rick