whats it worth
 

I have a VERY old and VERY worn 1836 Capped Bust half dollar. The date is barely visible under light and magnification. According to my info it could be worth as much as $60 - $1000 obviously in better condition. I don't know much about this old stuff. Is it worth anything more than its silver (whats left) or does it have ANY numismatic value at all being in such bad shape?

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...9/IMG_0007.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...9/IMG_0010.jpg

Re: whats it worth
 

I would be thinking more like $25-$30 on eBay in that condition, which is certainly a lot more than melt. A dealer might get as high as $35-$40 selling over-the-counter, but needs to make a profit and would probably be looking at $15-$20 as a buy price.

I've been enamored with bust halves for a long time... had a nice collection going once upon a time, but sold it and am just now starting to rebuild. So, I've been watching these coins on eBay lately, and have bought a few over the last several months. Rarer dates and better grade coins may sell for a premium there, but most more common dates in lower grades go at a discount from the price sheets. On average I've been paying about 50%-75% of book for mid-grade bust halves. Those were raw coins in VF and XF grades. Yours is more like AG (about good). You will find a buyer, but they're not likely to get caught up with auction fever and duke it out over it.

Hope you don't mind hearing it straight.

Re: whats it worth
 

BTW, see those scrape marks on the obverse? Those are likely counting table marks... coins with them are known as "sliders", though the marks aren't too bad on your coin.

Back when these coins were in common use, halves were an important medium for major exchanges (there were no Silver dollars minted for most of the time bust halves were made). Clerks would slide them across a wooden table as they counted them... sometimes had a great many to be counted, so they had to move fast... zip, zip, zip. Consequently a lot of BH's have those marks.

Re: whats it worth
 

Here's one of my favorite eBay grabs. I'd deem the condition VF, and it's not a rare date, but I do love the way the dark background toning sets off the lighter areas in sort of a cameo effect:

Attachment 66028

Re: whats it worth
 

Thank you for the info, that coin is very beautiful.

Re: whats it worth
 

Curmudgeonista
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I recently have been selling off any numismatic coins in my possession to convert to bullion. I don't have any kind of knowledge of numismatic values.
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I have an 1834 capped bust I received in a box-lot of foreign coins about 10 years ago. I cannot do pictures at the moment but hope you can give me a ballpark value with a description.
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Front- All the outer ridges are there. The date is there. The liberty on the cap is there. The wrinkles on her cap, and whatever she is wearing, and her hair has definition. I think the front is a very nice coin.
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Rear- I can see all the ridges. The outer lettering is good except for the A in states is very worn. The inner lettering is good except for the U, R, and I in pluribus, are very worn. The eagle looks good seeing all the feathers, eyes, and the lines on the shield.
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I have only a few cents at the most invested in this coin. 2 weeks ago I listed it on craigs list for $30. I got a tremendous response to say the least. I looked the coin up on ebay and was shocked to see coins listed in less condition than mine for well over $300. I pulled the ad and am considering keeping it.
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You expressed some knowledge of these coins values and I will be in your debt if you can help me out.

Re: whats it worth
 

Not to beat this to death, but the coin in this link is very much like mine. I do think this example has been cleaned.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/1834-Capped-Bust...3A1|240%3A1318

Re: whats it worth
 

Here's a site site with a list of considerations for grading Bust Halves:

http://www.coinbrowser.com/grading.p...Half%20Dollars

NumisMedia has an easy to follow price guide at:

http://www.numismedia.com/fmv/prices...pricesgd.shtml

From your description, I'm guessing your coin is in the VG to XF range, but that's a big range with about $100 difference between top and bottom. The shoulder clasp and hair curls on the obverse are key indicators, but it's very difficult to make a determination without seeing the coin.

With the exception of a few overdates, there are not huge, huge differences in prices for different dates in circulated grades. They are all desirable, but not priced so high as to exclude ordinary collectors.

However, there are die variations within each single date issue and these can sometimes result in vast price differences from one coin to another. Overton is the definitive source on these and you'll sometimes see these coins listed with an Overton number in addition to the date and grade (also just called the "O" number and shown as O-101, for example) along with rarity ratings for the die variation (such as "R4"). You won't find those on most pricelists and really have to do some serious research to benefit buying or selling different Overton varieties.

Re: whats it worth
 

The coin in the auction you linked is a very nice coin. I have dealt with that vendor before and I believe them to be honest and forthright. However, from the photo there are some possible indications that it could be AU instead of BU, else a weak strike in some areas. It would be better to see something like that in person.

From AU, the drop to XF is not a far one, but the price difference is. Pay very close attention to details on your coin, or better yet visit a coin shop for their opinion of the grade. Buy something while you're there and they likely won't balk too much at giving you a little "free" advice on your Bust Half.

Re: whats it worth
 

Thank you for your timely response. Because of the wear spots on the coin from ebay, I don't believe a coin can be that clean from that era. I believe from the second site I'm in the $100 dollar range. I'm going to take your advice and go see what it's worth to a dealer.
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Once again, thank you for your advice.

Re: whats it worth
 

De nada.

Good luck with it!