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summoning member John Reich

The 1808 is an Overton 103 variety (key points: Obverse: left base of "1" in 1808 is weak/missing. Reverse: "AM" in AMERICA solidly joined at the base. Also, note the position of the letter "I" in PLURIBUS in relation to the "T" in STATES). R1 variety.

The 1830 is tougher to attribute, but I think it's an Overton 118 variety (key points: Obverse: bottom of "3" in 1830 is high in relation to the 8. Reverse: look on the shield at the 5th group of vertical lines going from left to right--the middle line in that group runs below the shield down into the eagle's lower body, nearly touching the claw. Also, the "I"/"T" relationship in PLURIBUS/STATES seems right for 118) R3 variety.

Neither coin is counterfeit. Actually, in these grades a contemporary counterfeit half is worth just as much as a genuine half!

Check the edge lettering on the coins too. It should read "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" all the way around the coin. If the lettering is doubled, or distorted in some way due to how it was run thru the edge dies, it can add value to the coin. The edge lettering was applied before the coins were struck by running the coin thru a machine with 2 parallel bars, one side read "FIFTY CENTS OR" and the other "HALF A DOLLAR". Turning a handle moved one bar, rotating the coin and applying the edge lettering as it ran thru the machine.

Thanks for putting the photos of the coins up! It's always fun to study these early American coins. Hope this helps.

on the purchase
on the expertise

John Reich wrote:The 1808 is an Overton 103 variety (key points: Obverse: left base of "1" in 1808 is weak/missing. Reverse: "AM" in AMERICA solidly joined at the base. Also, note the position of the letter "I" in PLURIBUS in relation to the "T" in STATES). R1 variety.

The 1830 is tougher to attribute, but I think it's an Overton 118 variety (key points: Obverse: bottom of "3" in 1830 is high in relation to the 8. Reverse: look on the shield at the 5th group of vertical lines going from left to right--the middle line in that group runs below the shield down into the eagle's lower body, nearly touching the claw. Also, the "I"/"T" relationship in PLURIBUS/STATES seems right for 118) R3 variety.

Neither coin is counterfeit. Actually, in these grades a contemporary counterfeit half is worth just as much as a genuine half!

Check the edge lettering on the coins too. It should read "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" all the way around the coin. If the lettering is doubled, or distorted in some way due to how it was run thru the edge dies, it can add value to the coin. The edge lettering was applied before the coins were struck by running the coin thru a machine with 2 parallel bars, one side read "FIFTY CENTS OR" and the other "HALF A DOLLAR". Turning a handle moved one bar, rotating the coin and applying the edge lettering as it ran thru the machine.

Thanks for putting the photos of the coins up! It's always fun to study these early American coins. Hope this helps.

The man is good

Rodebaugh wrote:

John Reich wrote:The 1808 is an Overton 103 variety (key points: Obverse: left base of "1" in 1808 is weak/missing. Reverse: "AM" in AMERICA solidly joined at the base. Also, note the position of the letter "I" in PLURIBUS in relation to the "T" in STATES). R1 variety.

The 1830 is tougher to attribute, but I think it's an Overton 118 variety (key points: Obverse: bottom of "3" in 1830 is high in relation to the 8. Reverse: look on the shield at the 5th group of vertical lines going from left to right--the middle line in that group runs below the shield down into the eagle's lower body, nearly touching the claw. Also, the "I"/"T" relationship in PLURIBUS/STATES seems right for 118) R3 variety.

Neither coin is counterfeit. Actually, in these grades a contemporary counterfeit half is worth just as much as a genuine half!

Check the edge lettering on the coins too. It should read "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" all the way around the coin. If the lettering is doubled, or distorted in some way due to how it was run thru the edge dies, it can add value to the coin. The edge lettering was applied before the coins were struck by running the coin thru a machine with 2 parallel bars, one side read "FIFTY CENTS OR" and the other "HALF A DOLLAR". Turning a handle moved one bar, rotating the coin and applying the edge lettering as it ran thru the machine.

Thanks for putting the photos of the coins up! It's always fun to study these early American coins. Hope this helps.

The man is good

Great explanation - I learn something everyday on this forum.