I have always collected Barber quarters and have recently begun looking at proof Barbers. I need some advice. How can you tell the difference between business strikes and Proof. I have never actually held a Proof, but what I am needing to know is if all barber proofs will have a mirrored field? It seems that some are cameo and others aren't. What really blows my mind is that I see a few on Ebay and the internet that do not have mirrored fields, but are advertised as Proof. For you old timers......I have run across articles citing 1989 high prices of Barber quarters in the $3000.00 dollar ranges whereas now they are close to $800. http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=3417&universeid=313&type=1 Did these really get that high back in the day? Also what is the tell all sign that a Barber coin is proof? Thanks, Chris
First, yes they were hat high back then, due to Wall street invading the market. And, yes, they are all mirror finish, no matte strikes. Good luck, I have two dimes, but no quarters, yet. Haven't seen one that is nice with out taking out a loan.
Just to clarify... they may have all *had* mirror fields at one time, but now you'll find the range of ones that don't appear to have much of a cameo or mirror, as they have toned, etc. Mine doesn't have the strong cameo/mirror look that many of the higher priced ones have (but I didn't pay a high price for it either).
Yes it does. And that is part of the reason why with some it can be hard to tell they are Proof. Dipping coins isn't something new, it's been around for years. So often coins were dipped decades ago and have since re-toned. But under the toning they no longer have the Proof luster they once had so it is harder to see.
