Question about spiked chin half cent

[CSdot]

What is going on with this half cent. In particular, the abraded marks at 4:00.

 

http://coins.ha.com/itm/half-cents/1804-1-2-c-spiked-chin-ms63-brown-pcgs-cac-c-8-b-7-r1/a/1174-3369.s?hdnJumpToLot=1x=0&y=0

 

Any other thoughts or comments on this coin?

 

Thanks.

[RWB]

Part of a damaged die. Normal for the variety. Some have much more prominent defects than the one you posted.

[BillJones]

This obverse was used on five varieties of 1804 half cents. Cohen #1 does not have the spiked chin markings. The injury occurred early during the production of Cohen die variety combination #5 and was subsequently used for varieties 6, 7 and 8. Cohen #7 is the scarcest, and the one offered in this Heritage sale, #8 is the most common.

 

When I was collecting these coins by die variety, the most common explanation for these markings was that a screw damaged the obverse die with the head making the spike and the threads impressing the marks below that. Now there are other theories, which I don't recall since I've been out of half cent die variety collecting for 20 years.

 

[CSdot]

Great answers. Thanks.

[RWB]

But---there are both relief and incuse marks....in somewhat different places, and the incuse marks are not uniformly spaced as one might expect for a threaded screw.....Hmmm...I think it was Mr. Cohen having a bit of fun at the mint!

[Coindude]

Never really paid attention, but she's sticking her tongue out at us as well!!

[michael]

Never really paid attention, but she's sticking her tongue out at us as well!!

 

yes!!! she is an extremely popular in demand and desirable little sister

[CSdot]

What would be a good max price to pay for this coin?

[MJ]

What would be a good max price to pay for this coin?

 

For this very coin around $3k would be a good catch IMO. Here is mine. Same grade

 

Mark

 

[johnny9434]

nice coin mj