GTG: 1897 Barber Half Dollar

55

 

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And why do you think it graded 58, Randy? This coin looks like an XF, max. AU50. It would need more luster to make a high AU grade.

@Log Potato I remember you’re a Barber collector

 

Barber is my weakest series. That was the reason for my question.

 

@log

I believe people are careful with coins which show a lot of details but don’t have enough remaining luster (compared to wear).

 

AU 55

 

58...nice

 

50, and nice RPD

 

@Seattlite86
Where did you go?

 

AU53

 

AU-50

 

I'll say Extremely Fine 45, and add that it is a very pretty coin.

Is that yours, Brandon? Very good pictures, too.

 

I'd go 53 on what I can see of high-point wear, but I'm concerned about how much luster is gone, and the halos around the devices. I'm not 100% sure it would straight grade. But I haven't gotten to examine many AU Barbers, so I'm still low on the learning curve here...

Edit to add: if it is straight graded, I'll have learned an important chunk about grading the upper end of circulated Barbers here. Thanks, @Seattlite86 !

 

Thanks for the reminder! Okay, here's the grade!
Edit: you have to click the spoiler button to see the grade.

Spoiler

I paid PCGS XF45 price for it a few years back and do not regret it.

It's very interesting to see this grade compared to my other coin: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/gtg-1898-25cent-barber-quarter.340782/#post-3572876

 

Thank you, this is mine I purchased this back when I had a lot more money to burn.

 

Oh my..... May I delete my previous guess? Goes to reason you won't find many representatives from the barber series in my safe.. LOL

 

I had to buy these graded because I struggle with them too

 

I have a terrible time with these...it seems like when new strikes went into circulation, they wore rather quickly into circulated grades, probably due to the popularity of the coin, and having so many high ware points.

 

Ah, got you.
I was wondering how you got that past your wife.

 

That would've been quite a feat! (and breach of trust). Holding out for our anniversary and hoping she grants my wish to be taken off coin probation.

 

Just start buying stamps... and tell her stamps are completely worthless and you’re throwing money out the window with every purchase. She’ll let you buy coins again veeery soon