Grade a Barber Half

Hi,
Here is a Barber half which has probably been dipped in the past, but as I think it is EF or so, the reduced luster may be OK. Some toning has returned. The vertical and horizontal lines of the shield are all there and bold, but don't show up in the photo. The center tailfeather has wear, but the side tail feathers are distinct. What grade would you give? Thanks:smile

Jim

 

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i would go VF-30. Very nice coin!

 

Yes, it appears to be retoned nicely. Grade? Redbook states AU 50- slight trace of wear above forehead, leaf tips and cheek, On the reverse slight wear on the eagles head tail and wings. I would say this coin meets that criteria. Nice one jim.

No rim damage and the overall look of the coin is very pleasant. And an "S" mint. One of the nicest barber Halfs I have seen.

 

Don't you need a full "LIBERTY" on them to be EF? VF30+ Nice coin, shame it went swimming in dip.

 

Very nice coin Jim. How's VF-39.75 sound? Seriously nice coin, XF-40. Judging from the leaf detail on the obverse, I'm assuming the band is full and the pic may be a bit off.

 

VF35 Not enough radial lines in the obverse stars and too much wear on the eagle to merit XF IMO.

 

Yeah, VF-30, possibly cleaned -- doesn't look too bad. Jam it in a Wayte Raymond album and stick it in your attic come June. Take it out in September. Repeat for 2-5 years as necessary. Blammo!

 

I'll guess EF-40. Nice coin.

 

Dip or not, it's EF. EF-40.

 

Well VF30- EF40 is a nice range! Thanks to all. I do appreciate the time. This was for someone's type set, but they wanted one "exactly" like it ( except no toning) ! So after a while, a white one came up on ebay, same date, almost identical grade, close price, so everyone is happy

Maybe I should start a type set:kewl:

Jim

 

yes yes u should it will be fun nice coin btw

 

nice coin! VF-35 imo

 

I would call it a VF-35

 

It's a great example of what a mid grade barber should be. There is just a bit too much wear on the headband and the shield and wingtips to get the coin to XF but not enough wear to drop the coin to a low VF so VF-30/35 it is. Looks like a great candidate for a dipping and retoning.

 

This coin is an EF-40

It's very close but I'll say XF-40 all day long. It is true that sent to ABC boys it would be a VF-35 but what do they know? Seriously, compared to other Barber halves's that are available it should at least warrant XF-40 $$$.
This brings up a fine point of grading generally not leaned without much "hands on" experience.
I've seen on here grading opinions given as if it were some kind of exact science like technical grades, market grades and so on.
You basically have to learn those aspects of grading to then unlearn them.
In 1998 I found one the rarest Washington Quarter doubled dies known - it was 1971-P DDR-001. It is so rare and so few have been found I think it has been deleted from Cherry Picker's Guild, (at least it's not in my copy).
Wexler attributed it for me and both he and Potter did a Coin World article about it. I sent it in to ANACS to be graded, I thought it might get a high VG or low F at best. It was baggy, no luster, dull grey and had some rim bumps if I remember correctly. ANACS sent it back graded AU-53. I could not believe it it blew my mind. I then sold it to Crawford and discussed the grade with him, Potter and others. From what I learned up to that point (and I think still now) there was only 6 in existence and my coin was the highest graded one. Yes, they graded it in relation to known examples believe it or not - that was the only explanation.
There is many forms of grading and they are all subject to revision and different forms of interpretation. The finer points of this subject are only learned through experience and time plus all of us sharing freely what we have learned.
Ben Peters

 

Definitely XF.

 

What leads you to conclude that?

I see nothing to suggest it, and if it was dipped, from the look of it, it was a LONG time ago.

The coin looks to me to be a weakly struck XF or even AU, but I can't get a read on the luster -- perhaps you can comment on it (and perhaps that's why you think it was dipped).

Just wondering...Mike

 

Hi Mike, Yes I was going mainly on the lack of luster for a EF grade coin ( I assumed), but I wouldn't guarantee it was dipped. The top part of the shield on reverse is the only part where there is a luster, and the only way I thought this might happen was a dip solution maybe didn't fill the tiny grooves. Maybe I am too cautious not to over represent my coins, but I do agree that if there was alteration, it was a long time ago.

Jim

 

Thanks for the info. Was the coin scanned or photographed? If the latter, what type of light was used. Just curious...Mike

 

It was photographed using axial lighting. Diffuse main light and 2 LED lamps on each side. Now that you brought it up, maybe I should have used more direct lighting.

Jim