Of the 10 lowest-mintage non-gold US coins of the 20th century, 6 are Barbers, and the 1914 half is one of them. Congratulations.
Yes, I'm trying for a complete set in Fine, although several coins span the VG-VF range. But it's fun going for that "fine-ish" look, I really like that grade in Barbers b/c there is still enough detail on the coins, but they sport that authentic look, with the classic, vintage patina you get on many circulated US silver coins from the 19th and early 20th centuries. That grade of coin also presents enough of a challenge without completely busting my budget!
Thanks. There's a bit of a cool story behind this one. I go into my local B&M every so often, searching for certain coins to complete whatever set I'm collecting. This used to work out fairly well for more popular series. Lately though, as I get into more eclectic series, I find myself resorting to eBay or going to big coin shows to find the more scarce coins I need. Going to the local B&M to find a key date in a relatively obscure series is somewhat akin to winning the lottery. Barber halves, especially keys, are proving very tough to find this way. So yesterday I go back into my local dealer's shop. They know me pretty well in there by now. I'm picking through old whitman folders of "Liberty Head Half Dollars" that people are bringing in to him to sell since silver is so high. Most of the stuff is pretty low grade, mostly common dates, and a lot of AG-G coins stuffed in these folders, probably decades ago. Once again, I think I'm going to walk away empty handed. Right as I'm getting ready to leave, a lady who works in there says: "Well somebody brought this one in over the week-end." She pulls out an old vintage Whitman folder, the kind that's blue with the embossed gold diamond cross stitch pattern on it, really beat up, and it was only the last page of the folder, the rest had been ripped away at some point, so only the coins from 1912-1915 are there. Sure enough, sitting there right in the 1914 hole, was this coin. A great find! The dealer gave me a great price on it, and I walked out happy. Little events like this are what keep me coming back to this hobby.
Once I finish this set, I would like to try one in VG or just upgrade the one I'm doing to all VF30 - 35's. I just really like the look of these coins. My Heritage win from the pre-ANA auction #1158. Also added this dime to my type set. Couldn't really capture the original look of this coin with my camera, but I really like it. Happy hunting!
Ordered this one this weekend. Got the Halves by date now starting to fill in the mints. Sellers images. It was a BIN that was priced right. Then got lucky and won this one at auction Sunday evening. Even though they are both VF20's needless to say one cost a lot more than the other.
I was going to bid on that 06-O LD. After I saw what it went for this morning, I wish I would have. Nice pick up.
picked this up yesterday, its my first barber. think i gota good deal on it. think it would take a VG? or would the damage knock it down? barber half2 001 by woodsmen27, on Flickr barber half 001 by woodsmen27, on Flickr
Nice stuff, all. I agree that Barbers still have a way to go, value wise. As for the 1914's, I have loved them for a while, small hoard that is always growing.
Thanks. I think the dealer might have thought it was an 03-O. I found it in a box of F-VF Barber dimes that he was selling for $4 each.
This dime is rather generic except for the reverse and what is going on with the denomination. That is the reason why I purchased it. I don't know if it is some kind of error or if it was altered by someone for God knows what? Any ideas?
I've been having great luck with these lately. I picked up this 1910 Barber Half in Fine for a little bit over melt out of a dealer's junk bin today.
Here are a few that I've gotten recently. I've decided to try and piece together sets slowly but surely as time goes on. For the life of me, I can't take photos to come out for anything. There is a half dollar with red crayon on the obverse, a quarter and dime from the same year 1892. The half and quarter look good to me - no sign that they've been cleaned that I can see. The dime doesn't have much toning like the others so maybe it was dipped too much ?? I'm not afraid to admit that I'm learning on the fly with some of this; reading literature, books, posts etc. x
I really like that 02 half Yacorie. I think that's the one you were asking about cleaning in another thread, I'm glad you've decided not to do it.