1834 Classic Head Half Eagle

HBCC#:

2003

Breen#:

6501

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

Through extended use of coinage dies, small splits or cracks occur on the steel surface. These cracks can grow during further use of the die. Die cracks generally exhibit one of two characteristics, peripheral, where the crack follows the design elements near the edge of the die, or radial, extending inward from the edge toward the center. The crack on this example, from Liberty’s eye, is highly unusual in that it fits neither general characteristic, being a straight internal crack. This crack extends upward from her eye to her forehead and down to her chin.

Provenance:

Purchased from Don Quiggins, November 4, 1972.

Obverse:

As preceding

Reverse:

As preceding

Commentary:

Obv. Belted 8. Truncation markedly curved. Fat 4, centered under curl. Cracks: eye - cheek, hair - top ribbon end. Lightly lapped. REV. No eagle tongue. Middle leaves droop. Three long, slender arrowheads. No guide lines. Lapped. Clashing remnant. Crack: left wing tip - edge.