3 unusual silver's and a martingale heart

[creskol]

This was a crazy day...lots of trash, 3 weird silver's and a heart. I also managed to save a few beer cans.

 

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[Jose The Goon]

The 1918 low-mintage commemorative is a real beauty but the worn silver half is a curiosity to me.
It's really great that you found those 3 "weirdos" in the same area. !
I straightened out the obverse & pasted it next to an 1839 seated half to make an easier comparison. A real expert
is needed to take a real close look at the coin but I'm making a "guess" that it is an 1839 because of a few clues although a few things don't jibe exactly. Maybe someone here can pick out a few more clues as to its exact date.
It's only a guess by me but here goes;
I see what looks like a flat-topped "3" under the base of the seated lady in the correct vertical position, but it looks kind of too close to that base. (could be because of wear) If it was a "7" in that position, the reverse would have a motto banner above the eagle, so I rule out it being a "7". The pole & cap though faint, appear to be ok & the stars seem to be in correct position also. The only seated half, pre the "mottoed" 1873 that has a flat-topped "3" in its date is the 1843, but the "3" would be further to the right than in the 1839.
Below are the 2 pictures with some markings for comparison. Maybe some of our fellow posters can spot some
other clues that add to the search for its existence. I hope it's authentic. Whatever it is, it's a cool find among 2 other
cool finds. Nice going !!! Cheers !!

 

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[Jose The Goon]

Sorry....I forgot to include the reverse of your coin straightened out. As I was doing it, I noticed that there seems to be
some double-striking on your coin. The "E" in STATES up top, the "ERICA" in AMERICA & the "L" in HALF
at the bottom are double struck. Strange but VERY INTERESTING !!!

 

[JamieD]

The 1918 low-mintage commemorative is a real beauty but the worn silver half is a curiosity to me.
It's really great that you found those 3 "weirdos" in the same area. !
I straightened out the obverse & pasted it next to an 1839 seated half to make an easier comparison. A real expert
is needed to take a real close look at the coin but I'm making a "guess" that it is an 1839 because of a few clues although a few things don't jibe exactly. Maybe someone here can pick out a few more clues as to its exact date.
It's only a guess by me but here goes;
I see what looks like a flat-topped "3" under the base of the seated lady in the correct vertical position, but it looks kind of too close to that base. (could be because of wear) If it was a "7" in that position, the reverse would have a motto banner above the eagle, so I rule out it being a "7". The pole & cap though faint, appear to be ok & the stars seem to be in correct position also. The only seated half, pre the "mottoed" 1873 that has a flat-topped "3" in its date is the 1843, but the "3" would be further to the right than in the 1839.
Below are the 2 pictures with some markings for comparison. Maybe some of our fellow posters can spot some
other clues that add to the search for its existence. I hope it's authentic. Whatever it is, it's a cool find among 2 other
cool finds. Nice going !!! Cheers !!


View attachment 1800766
View attachment 1800767

I’m definitely not an expert but could it be a home made piece intending to represent an 1853 arrows and rays half dollar?

It looks hand engraved to me - the detail is incuse and quite crude and importantly it’s the right way round so it hasn’t been stamped off another coin.

There look to be straight line marks to the right of the wing, to the left of the beak and under the talons that could be an attempt to depict the rays. This would also fit with the lack of banner and maybe with your observations on the date?

Jamie

 

[ARC]

That is the oddest grouping I have seen in a long time.

Well done.

 

[creskol]

Jose .. Thank you for taking the time to compare the coins and for your thoughts and information. If the sun ever shines again here, I will try to get some better photos of the coins. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all who have taken the time to look , comment, and like! I appreciate you all.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on some great finds.

 

[Calabash Digger]

congrats!

 

[Steve in PA]

Quite an unusual group of coins to find in one place. Doesn't quite rank up there with a change purse full fo gold and silver coins from a Civil War hut, but still pretty impressive. Yes Rob, if you could get better pictures in good daylight, that might help show these coins in their full glory.

 

[Royn2751]

Memorable finds, congrats!

 

[the_mad_cladder]

That’s some cool stuff! Congrats on those odd silvers.

 

[Jose The Goon]

I’m definitely not an expert but could it be a home made piece intending to represent an 1853 arrows and rays half dollar?

It looks hand engraved to me - the detail is incuse and quite crude and importantly it’s the right way round so it hasn’t been stamped off another coin.

There look to be straight line marks to the right of the wing, to the left of the beak and under the talons that could be an attempt to depict the rays. This would also fit with the lack of banner and maybe with your observations on the date?

Jamie

Yes it does look hand engraved, especially on most of the reverse, but the double strike of letters is odd. The coin appears to be a combination of
engraving & pressing. I'm no expert either but I believe no stone should be left unturned when investigating a find such as this. If only
the coin could talk. Why was it made? Who made it? Was it one of many test pieces by the designer/engraver/minter etc. that was tossed aside before
they began the final minting of a million or so coins? Or, maybe it was just some VERY good artist that wanted to make a coin for one reason or another.
I don't know, but "creskol" should (and probably will) keep eyes & ears open on this one. Closer inspection & opinions by others more knowledgeable
about these things is a good path to take. Good hunting "JamieD" !!! Cheers ! J.T.G.

 

[Jose The Goon]

Jose .. Thank you for taking the time to compare the coins and for your thoughts and information. If the sun ever shines again here, I will try to get some better photos of the coins. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all who have taken the time to look , comment, and like! I appreciate you all.

You're very welcomed. Thanks for all your posts & sharing your stories & finds with us. I love looking into the history of coins, especially ones like you found
on this recent hunt. I learned a lot about the engraver, Christian Gobrecht, thanks to your find & posting. Find more cool coins ! Cheers !! J.T.G. .......ps. When searching around I found no mention of similar double strikes on the reverses of this class of Liberty Seated Half Dollars. (for what it's worth)
Christian Gobrecht Coin Engraver Biography and History

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool old coins, congrats!

 

[creskol]

New photos of the one coin:

 

[creskol]

Here is a better photo of the 1918 Abe Lincoln - Illinois Centennial half dollar: