Barber Halves, who's hoarding them? Interesting observation.

Max

While people are chasing poptops poptarts and PKOKS, I have been chasing Barber Halves. Problem is there are none available.

A recent search on ebay turned up 931 Barbers 50c. Not bad? Out of this group I found the following:

4 PCGS
12 NCG

5 of the above were proof.

Less than 1.5% Barber halves in all grades available slabbed. There were a handful of NTC, ANACS, SEGS, etc. but a quick look at them and it was obvious why they were in those slabs. The raw coins were all impaired somehow.

Periodically people ask where there is value in the coin market. Here is one area where value screams.

Anyone else collect a series where a tiny percentage of coins are slabbed by NGC or PCGS?

ARCO

Welcome to the great search! Go back to those 900+ listings on Ebay and filter by grade. Try VF or XF. See if you can see even one problem free coin with nice color in any grade from Fine to XF. You might as well forget about original AU because they only exist on a hypothetical level in an alternate universe.

Tyler

P.S. Because of their high prices, MS coins rarely sell for listed prices on Ebay. Mostly because they are offered raw or in inferior grading companies slabs.

Heritage coin and David Lawrence both have extensive Barber halves in MS grades...but again the eye appeal is rarely there for most of the coins regardless of how good the seller.

WWW

A keen observation on Max's part and one that I happen to share. Where indeed are all the MS Barber halves?

Barry

Max,
I just ran an auction on Ebay for a complete set of Barber Halves (no takers , although I got a few after-auction shoppers, so it should sell. ) Barber halves, like the other Barbers, circulated extensively, and there are no really rare dates in halves, except the somewhat less common 1892's. Slabbing common date, low value coins doesn't make sense to me. Does it to you?
Regarding other series where you don't see many slabs - Coppers.

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS

I know where they are hiding.....and how much it will take to bring them out of the closet.

stewart

Max

Barry,
I saw your circulated set. I focus on MS64 and higher Barbies, they go for $1,200 and up each from PCGS or NGC. Some conditionally rare pieces go for $5k and up when nice.

The series has no real stoppers that's why I can't understand the lack of interest and supply. Prices are cheap when you can find them. I find it all very odd.

tjkillian

To me, it seems that there are more collectores collecting the post-Barber coins. The majority of collectors collect coins from 1916 to present. Check out the prices of the Seated Liberty series as well. You will see the same numbers.

Tom

barberlover

I spoke to someone recently who said he knows the Dr. who has assembled the most impressive barber half dollar set in the world, just think, a complete set of barber halves of every date and mintmark in mint state 66 or 67 !!!!!

I respect this persons right to privacey, but why did he bother listing this fabulous set in the p.c.g.s. registry without posting a single picture ?

My barber collection has shrunk recently, but i still believe i have one of the highest quality pieces for the grade in my 1892 S half in p.c.g.s. 66.

When i had to sell so much of my collection recently to pay bills and a 401 k loan, it was tough parting with some very nice barber coins along woith some other type, but if i end up having to sell the rest over time, that 92 S will be the last to go!

Their is no coin prettier [or harder to find] than an original mint state barber half with full luster under the toning!

jdimmick

That person on the PCGS registry set with the Barber Half high end MS set is a doc from PA, I believe?

joejeweler

Barry....i believe MS 1915 Barber halves are MUCH more rare than the 1892 date you cite......that's the reason there is such heavy pressure on 1915 Proofs for those completing date sets of halves......

.....one of the key reasons i chose to "reach" for my example!

Joe T



<< <i>Max,
I just ran an auction on Ebay for a complete set of Barber Halves (no takers , although I got a few after-auction shoppers, so it should sell. ) Barber halves, like the other Barbers, circulated extensively, and there are no really rare dates in halves, except the somewhat less common 1892's. Slabbing common date, low value coins doesn't make sense to me. Does it to you?
Regarding other series where you don't see many slabs - Coppers. >>

lordmarcovan

Try finding a problem-free midgrade Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle half dime some time. Raw OR slabbed.

lordmarcovan

BTW, I'm sort of kicking around the idea of selling one of my icon coins. But with the money I have in it, I might not get much interest. Oh, well. I'm happy to keep it and would regret selling it in a way, but the capital I have tied up in it could be working for me in other areas...



(1898 PCGS PR63 CAM Benson)