Thread: 1914 Barber Half - good buy?

Cleaned. I would have to agree.
I'd say XF40 on this coin but it does have some rim nicks on it. Maybe a Net grade of VF30 or 35 would be my guess. There appears to be light wear in some spots.

Obverse: Wear on Hair and Leaves and parts of Liberty. Could be wear on the cap, but there is a hot spot from lighting, flash, or editing of the photo. The neck bothers me, it's probably the effect of cleaning.

Reverse: I can see wear on the eagle's head, and on the wings for sure! The tail feathers have some wear, and none of them are that well defined. The shield appears to be in pretty good shape, but once again, a hot spot from keeping us from seeing one area.


I'd be interested in seeing your pictures, to find out what the actual surfaces of this coin look like, and what the color is.

Thanks for the opinion. Even if it net grades at VF30, the wholesale price is $440, so I'm content with this key date purchase. Of course I'd rather have a perfect uncleaned XF40, but that might have cost me double. And it's still an upgrade from my uncleaned VG8-10 for that date (which I'll keep for now).

I'll post some photos in a couple of weeks when I get back from vacation.

Originally Posted by Leadfoot

FMP, The coin is not worth what you paid, IMO. Cleaned coins, as a general rule, are worth roughly half their details grade. So, I'd guess the value is between 200 and 250. So 283 + shipping isn't tooooo bad. Respectfully...Mike

Heritage prices tend to disagree with you;
1914 50C --Cleaned--ANACS. XF45 Details. Nov 29, 2007 Sold For: $632.50
1914 50C --Cleaned--ANACS. XF45 Details. Jul 17, 2007 Sold For: $575.00
And even;
1914 50C --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. VF Details. May 31, 2009 Sold For: $517.50

I do not think $500+ is out of line and $283 seems to me to be a real bargain.

I wonder if it is even authentic. Those fields and that toning don't look right to me...

Bun, no matter what, even if genuine, you paid too much. Sorry

Heritage prices tend to disagree with you;
1914 50C --Cleaned--ANACS. XF45 Details. Nov 29, 2007 Sold For: $632.50
1914 50C --Cleaned--ANACS. XF45 Details. Jul 17, 2007 Sold For: $575.00
And even;
1914 50C --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. VF Details. May 31, 2009 Sold For: $517.50

I do not think $500+ is out of line and $283 seems to me to be a real bargain.

Read more: 1914 Barber Half - good buy?

I agree that in general for a key date, cleaning doesn't affect the value as much as it would for a common date. Maybe a 25% reduction or so. Regardless, I believe the reason it went so much cheaper that the certified "cleaned" barbers is due to the risk factor in buying a raw key date coin in that it may be a removed mint mark or some other form of counterfeit. I'm not saying that it is, but there is always that possibility. As long as it is genuine, I say you got a great deal as it looks like 45 details to me; but I'm not experienced enough with barbers to know for sure whether or not it is a genuine 1914-P.

FWIW, the PCGS price guide quote $1000 for a 40, and I'd estimate $1250 for a 45 -- which seems to support the 1/2 rule I suggested above against the Heritage auction prices.

What's greysheet?

Maybe that is why I always use Heritage or other past sale in stead of guides.

FWIW, current price guide for XF-40 prices
PCGS = $1,000
Numismedia retail = $680
Numismedia whiolesale = $561