GTG 1892 Barber Half Dollar

63 years ago you say. I want to talk to you. Bet you have some great coin story’s

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Oh so cool. Great replacement. So happy for you

 

Ain’t it nice when you’re the only one to get it right. Morgan king for a day

 

That is one crazy crack on the reverse. Don’t see that often. I like both coins.

 

Actually it was an 1892 Barber in slabbed (PCGS or NGC) 63. Bought sometime around 1992 for ~$900.

Not bought 63 years ago: sorry. Not a pretty coin but I grew up seeing worn flat Barber halves in dealers' bins for $1.35 or $1.50 each. Never saw a decent one so when I could I bought a common unc.

 

Yeah, I just bought a nice XF-AU dime for my type set. Barber coins are very attractive in high grades but meh in low grades.

 

That blank profile was all I knew of Barbers as a young collector. I mean, sure, I saw the photos of what they were supposed to look like in the Red Book, but every one that ever crossed my hands was worn down to G at best, usually lower than that. Contrast with something like a Walking Liberty half, where the dynamic design is still clear in the lowest grades.

 

Exactly !
Couldn't have put it better myself.

I did run across the occasional dime or quarter in better grades but never a half.
It made me wonder what happened to the critters. Maybe it was considered an old-style design so few were saved in high grades. Also, I recall reading that it was the real workhorse coin of the day as dollars were simply too big to carry around. Thus they circulated a lot.

Also, the Walking Halves were often of low mintage until 1934 as they were using up the Barber Halves then in circulation. My understanding is that they circulated up until the 1950's as they were pretty much face value only then.

 

OK, I am TERRIBLE at photos, but here is the XF-AU that the seller claimed showed some luster...

 

I like the 1905-S better!