I have seen and handled a lot of circulated U.S. half dollars. This Barber half does not look like any other I’ve seen in this grade. Side by side comparisons help illustrate the difference between a typical circulated VF. Anyone else have a similar coin? Thank you for any feedback!
Not seeing it. Add in that I am not a Barber guy. I just don't see anything that jumps out except an overgrade on one of them.
A circulated coin can't be prooflike. CirCAM is something, but doesn't look like it applies. Perhaps you just have a circulated Barber half with toning.
Environment has a lot to do with it, the way each was stored, the elements. I don't know which coin you are referring to, so I am being generic, in a sense. Good luck.
The one in the capsule looks like it's been cleaned or dipped and has since re-toned. I had a Barber half with XF or AU details that was mounted in a framed cardboard type-set display. Someone had cleaned it harshly before mounting it, and it had very similar coloring to the one you've shown. Not to say that yours has definitely been cleaned, but without closer/clearer pictures, that would be my guess.
While this coin may have been cleaned, I have to disagree with most of you . . . Circulated coins can indeed be prooflike. Moreover, prooflike traits on circulated coins should be easily identifiable down to and even below a grade of VF, as long as the telltale surfaces are well enough protected by the design. In this case, the coin is obviously somewhat reflective within much of the lettering and especially below Liberty's earlobe, where the obverse die likely was heavily polished.
Thanks for the feedback. Photos don’t do justice. Only the fields are highly reflective, what might be expected on a circulated PL as you mentioned. I too prescribe to a Once-a-PL-Always-a-PL coin. Only makes sense. The obv looks like it could have been frosty off the press. The reverse still has a very reflective field vs the devices. Definitely do not appear to have been polished. Thanks again for the feedback.
With those photos, I'm inclined to agree -- doesn't look polished to me. I don't know if the scratches would be counted as anything more than normal circulation marks. I have seen that kind of toning on multiple circulated coins. From other discussions here, I've gotten the impression that the toning fans aren't really interested in it, but it can be pretty.
I know this is an old thread, but a circulated coin can actually be prooflike. In fact, I think PCGS and NGC have certified AU-55 and 58 PL Morgans, so it's fairly possible with any coin.
I don't know about barber coins but there is some confusion concerning Proof Like Seated coins. Part of this is due to the fact that for over 30 years all of the grading services reserved PL for silver dollars only. Mark Twain once said, "He knew a man who didn't believe trains existed but one ran him over anyway." Well, just because the grading services decided to ignore PL coins in other series and denominations didn't mean they didn't exist. Some people are under the impression that PL Seated coins are extremely rare because of how few have that designation but I can personally attest to having seen several and actually own a 1891-S seated quarter AU-55 that has no PL designation but has better mirrors than an 1878-S trade dollar I have slabbed MS-62 PL. You can also consult Q. David Bowers book on Liberty Seated Silver Coins. He mentions numerous coins that he says have PL populations. I don't know about circ./unc. but a coin either has mirrors or it doesn't, much like any other aspect of coin minting. My opinions anyway. James
Like your self, and one who collects the Barber coinage, I also have handled seen and owned many. I'm in the same camp as a few others, in that nothing below AU qualifies as proof like. Instead, I attibute what you describe- again, which I've seen first hand- more towards a specimen of an early die strike which having much stronger details would wear/age differently. Quite often, as you've illustrated, much more appealing within an equal grade comparatively. Just my honest and humble opinion.
