1854 Half Dime Strike Error 0

[Jeff_H]

Hi guys, I think I may have found something pretty cool here.  I've done a lot of research on this seated liberty half dime and haven't come across anything like this.  The 1854 date stamp overlaps the bottom of the Seated Liberty image.  The coin measures 0.608" in diameter x .030" thick, weighs 1.217 grams.  According to a calculator I found online the metal is Nickel C-276, which falls in line with the nickel coins of the era.  Any thoughts on this thing?

[kbbpll]

Wow, that's pretty crazy. I never would have suspected something like that, so thanks for posting. However, it appears to be a VP-001 "with arrows high date" seen here: https://www.ngccoin.com/variety-plus/united-states/half-dimes/seated-liberty-half-dimes-1837-1873/816456/

 

[Jeff_H]

Yep, that looks like the same thing.  Thanks for getting back to me here, your info gives me a bit more to work with.  Happy New Year kbbpll!

[Conder101]

I think it is a normal silver half dime.  Diameter is right (spec is 15.5 mm in inches that is .610 inches just .002 different from what you give.) Weight is within tolerance for a silver half dime of that year (1.244 grams +/- .03 gram)

Nickel C276 has a density of 8.89 g/cm^3, so a half dime planchet made from it would have a weight of 1.07 grams.  Well less than what this coin weighs.  I don't see any reason to think it something other than a silver half dime.

[Jeff_H]

15 hours ago, Conder101 said:

I think it is a normal silver half dime.  Diameter is right (spec is 15.5 mm in inches that is .610 inches just .002 different from what you give.) Weight is within tolerance for a silver half dime of that year (1.244 grams +/- .03 gram)

Nickel C276 has a density of 8.89 g/cm^3, so a half dime planchet made from it would have a weight of 1.07 grams.  Well less than what this coin weighs.  I don't see any reason to think it something other than a silver half dime.

Huh.  That's interesting.  And very cool.  Silver's always better than nickel.  Thanks Conder!