Is it just my imagination or are Barber Haslves more expensive (grade for grade) than Bust Halves. It sure seems that way to me! Any reason for that?
I dunno... the last show I attended had plenty of VG Barbers for $14-$15... the cheapest bust half in that grade was about $40. The seated halves in the VG range were about $30. And of course all these were common dates. I don't collect high grade coins, so I can't answer you on their pricing.
Bust halves were used for half a century or longer as bank reserves. Barber halves were used in commerce. Therefor, there are probably more high grade bust halves in existence than barber halves. Always remember when bust halves we struck they were the largest US coin, so bags of them filled the need for bank reserves. By the time the banks sold them off, there were many collectors who wished to buy them from the banks. When barber halves were in circulation, there was tons of denominations of gold coins, as well as more silver dollars than this country could ever use, so every barber struck went straight into circulation.
I agree with you this is what I have heard on several occasions. Gold had not become the reserve commodity yet.
The market for barber halves has really turned on. In 2010 I remember seeing lots of 20 good-VG barber halves for about 220. Now you will see lots of 20 fetching in the mid 400's.
It's pretty simple, it's because there are a whole lot more of them. Look at these 2 links as an example. I did a simple search for Bust halves and another for Barber halves - both in VF20, no particular date. Now scan down the page for each and look at the population numbers listed in the headings. Bust - http://coins.ha.com/common/search_results.php?Ntk=SI_Titles-Desc&Ntt=VF20&Nty=1&N=51+790+231+371&chkNotSold=0 Barber - http://coins.ha.com/common/search_r...&Ntt=VF20&Nty=1&N=51+790+231+374&chkNotSold=0
Much of that increase is due to the increase is spot price of silver as opposed to numismatic interest. TC
I agree, I have more trouble finding problem free VF or higher Barber halves than VF or higher Busties that seem to grow on trees. And remember at the time of the Barber's release, it wasn't widely loved and accepted for it's design as a coin, therefore they were quickly circulated and beat up over time.
Exactly, CBH's were kept as bank reserves. Barbers were the workhorse of the industrial revolution. They were found in circulation up until the 1950's. Which is why you find so many in such low grades.
