GTG 1897 Barber Half

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Seattlite86, Dec 20, 2015.

?

What would you grade this coin?

  1. VF30

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. VF35

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. XF40

    4.5%
  4. XF45

    31.8%
  5. AU50

    31.8%
  6. AU55

    27.3%
  7. AU58

    4.5%
  1. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Here is my most recent purchase. I would love to hear what you think it should grade and I always appreciate hearing the method to your madness. 1897 Barber Half.jpg
     
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  3. Markus1959

    Markus1959 Well-Known Member

    AU55 - I like the toning and the wear on the eagles feathers might be from a weak strike. Nice coin!
     
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  4. longshot

    longshot Enthusiast Supporter

    Not my series but for fun I will say AU50. Looks to me like the luster is muted in the unprotected areas.
     
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  5. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    I'd go XF-45 just because of the loss of luster , but I say the tpgs went AU-50 so that's the grade I'll give . Nice coin .
     
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  6. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    Dang I hit XF-45 by mistake .
     
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  7. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    I believe I made it so you can change your vote as you like.
     
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  8. phankins11

    phankins11 Well-Known Member

  9. Markus1959

    Markus1959 Well-Known Member

    Yeah - maybe but I was hesitant to go 50 - "OH Lord, let there be a place for a better than 50 and not quite 55"!
     
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  10. coinman1234

    coinman1234 Not a Well-Known Member

    I thought that it looked a little too nice for AU-50, but not good enough for AU-55. I sure wish that there was an option for AU-53 :) The hair above the ear looks too crisp and separated for an AU-50. Closer to 55 than 50 in my not-so-expert opinion.

    http://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/Barber50/Grades
     
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  11. Rick Stachowski

    Rick Stachowski Motor City Car Capital

  12. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    How long does one normally wait before posting the answer? I don't want to spoil the fun by posting too quickly or holding out too long.
     
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  13. Markus1959

    Markus1959 Well-Known Member

    That's funny - somebodey wrote a thread (forum?) I think yesterday as arguing about coin grades - let it go a little longer just for fun!! :cool:
     
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  14. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Haha, sorry, I totally spaced putting in an AU53 option!
     
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  15. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Here's the grade PCGS gave it: XF45. I personally felt it was AU50 and was happy to buy it at an XF45 price as it is now going into my US Type Set.
    1897 PCGS OBV.JPG
     
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  16. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    Nice coin !
     
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  17. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    I guessed 45, nice coin
     
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  18. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Thank you, I'm very excited!
     
  19. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    Nice Barber. I guessed AU55. This is not my series and I guess was a bit too generous. I like the reverse on these coins, but I've never been a fan of the Barber obverse. It looks very roman and male to me.

    I need to buy a few Barbers for my type set. Not sure if I'm going XF, AU or MS at this point. I have so many other coins to add to my collection, I haven't really decided on the Barber series.
     
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  20. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    I agree that the obverse isn't very attractive. I think that's why you can find so many of the better dates at better prices. The reverse is very appealing to look at. Because of some of the older coins being so expensive, and because I like thinking that the coin I own might have actually been used in its day, I like to go after XF. I'll probably have to lower my standards on all things early 1800s and older.
     
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  21. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I'm coming around to that XF thinking. I think @Log Potato also likes this grade.

    Don't get me wrong, I still love the MS coin, but a XF with nice patina can be quite beautiful. More so that an AU50.
     
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