Unknown Silver Coin

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

My buddy just dug this coin today. Measures about 20.3mm, weight is 2.3grams. The bust appears to be facing left, as the faint ribbons and outline in the first photo attest. Dug in Southern Louisiana. Any ideas?

 

[Breezie]

I agree with Pete; it looks like a Cap Bust dime. Neat find, Breezie

 

[BuckleBoy]

I'd stay with the Cap bust dime theory if I was you. I think it's just damaged which is making the mm's off.The weight is more right for a bad worn cap bust dime the bust looks like it & I see the two SS's in states on the Rev.
Take Care,
Pete,

That could be. The reason I steered away from Capped in the first place was the fact that just above the ribbons, on the capped bust coins the design has a large recess in it, pointing back towards the base of the skull. There appears no dent in the worn coin; the design slopes down and outward toward the ribbons sticking out. Now the ribbons themselves are dead on for a capped, which is what I considered first when I saw the coin. I just don't know... I modified your photo to show the recess, pointed at it with an arrow:



Shane, I know you are monitoring this thread. Can you see the letter "S" on the back?

 

[timekiller]

That could be. The reason I steered away from Capped in the first place was the fact that just above the ribbons, on the capped bust coins the design has a large recess in it, pointing back towards the base of the skull. There appears no dent in the worn coin; the design slopes down and outward toward the ribbons sticking out. Now the ribbons themselves are dead on for a capped, which is what I considered first when I saw the coin. I just don't know... I modified your photo to show the recess, pointed at it with an arrow:

View attachment 694833

Shane, I know you are monitoring this thread. Can you see the letter "S" on the back?

Good morning Buck,Yea I'm sure it's a capped bust dime I meant to highlight the smashed stars as well last night so I will now.If you blow up the pic.you will see the remains of the 7 stars.Just a guess as to what type capped bust dime could be a type 1 being 18.8mm's wouldn't take much to through off a couple mm's in size.I mean only talking a couple good sharp pencil marks side by side to get your measurements.
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[shanegalang]

I read in the Red Book that the Capped Bust dimes were 18.8 and 18.5mm. My coin is worn and still a tad over 20mm.

 

[timekiller]

I read in the Red Book that the Capped Bust dimes were 18.8 and 18.5mm. My coin is worn and still a tad over 20mm.

Your coin is in bad shape without a doubt.Just to add to this now after looking I think your coin has been so altered smashed what ever that I would almost believe it to be a Half dime myself because the cap would fit you remaining outline better & the two points of hair also would fit with it being more pointed.One thing for sure it's not a six pence.I've seen you guy's post I don't think I've missed any of them.And with what I seen it would fit with what your finding being early 1800's at the earliest late 1790's.Just to much evidence when you look at the hole picture of finds.
Just adding the reduced size capped bust quarter to the mix.At 24.3mm & 6.74&6.68gms it's a player as well.Cause I can see a coin being stretched but not weight being added.So if what you say is true then the small quarter is a better bet 1831-1838.

 

[Silver Searcher]

I read in the Red Book that the Capped Bust dimes were 18.8 and 18.5mm. My coin is worn and still a tad over 20mm.

Must be good soil, to get a Silver coin to grow in diameter.

SS

 

[timekiller]

We'll call it how we see it then how about that? That way nobodies Wrong. I know what i see!

Normal penny 19.05mm's does that mean my ruler is wrong on the penny below

 

[shanegalang]

Guys I hope you will accept my apologies The first day that i measured the coin I had enjoyed a couple of beers. After reading these post about the Capped Bust I figured I might re measure. Took my time this time and the coin is in fact slightly above 18mm! I am not sure i am seeing the letter S as you are but I think I see a couple of the stars as well. I have terrible eyesight, even using a ruler/magnifier. I will take it with me tomorrow to visit with Buckleboy and he will be able to judge it better in person. So with all of that said, I think you all are correct. It's a disc of silver regardless of what it is I'll take it. Peace, Shane

 

[BuckleBoy]

In the case with the new information about the size, then I am totally in agreement with it being a capped bust dime. Looking at the photos again, and realizing that it is the stretching and the fact that the coin is probably not laying flat, which would distort the photo a bit too, I am on board. Many thanks to Timekiller for his GREAT help--and I will inspect the coin in person tomorrow to see what I can see.

Cheers,

Buckles

 

[BuckleBoy]

You know, I have now seen the coin in person and The Capped Bust ID is dead on. It's hard to see from a photo, and the photo is sort of distorted due to the bending of the coin. Plus--BIG clue here!--the edge is reeded! I never thought to ask Shane about that crucial detail! Doh!

Thanks to everyone for their help and input. Capped it is. Case closed.

Cheers,


Buck