A 05-o Barber Half grade opinion and question?

jdimmick

Okay you Barber half folks!

I saw this coin today? Give me your opinion of the grade first, then

The coin looks original underneath as it was in a blue folder. The obverse has some scattering of light russet toning that looks like what would occur if the coin got wet at some point in its life while in a blue whitman folder and then dried. I would like to get it off, but dont want to mess up the otherwise original surfaces.

Any opinions on the best way to do so or dont try it???

jim

coinkat

I know that I will be the minority view on this... even though I am not wild about the coin, I like it much more as an original coin and if you mess with it it will then look like a coin that was mesed with. I would not touch it . As for the grade... I think it is EF40 and I may consider 45, but I would need to see better pictures first. I have a feeling this coin looks better in person... btw, the 1905-o is a tougher date and not easy in this grade.

nwcs

Don't dip it, circulated coins never dip well. XF45 or AU is my guess.

lordmarcovan

What they said.

Sphinx357

Dave99B

Jim - Nice! I'm thinking low end XF, but let's see what Tyler has to say....

P.S. Don't mess with it!

Dave

Sphinx357

and I'm going to say AU until a bigger picture shows up

291fifth

I would call it XF. Don't try to "improve" it. Original, high circulated grade Barber halves are just too difficult to find. If it isn't perfect, don't worry about it.

MFH

Jim,

Its XF 40, just misses 45 as hair in front of LIBERTY is a tad weak from wear.

The 05-O is a tough coin to locate but I don't think this coin will fit in your AU set.

ARCO

Jim - Great half. That date is often seen poorly struck and the area around LIBERTY can be mushy, and with less detail. In my opinion it is definitely a XF40 and even though the reverse detail doesn't quite seem strong like an XF45, the coin is close nonetheless to being an XF45 considering the poor strike. I would say a strong XF40 like Dave & coinkat said.

I have owned a few coins with that rust sprinkled toning on them....and it doesn't come off without a fight! LOL You would ruin the coin if you tried any type of "improvements" to get rid of the rust sprinkles. I have been able to take a very soft cloth and gently push on areas that have those heavy, dark carbon spots in limited areas without damaging the coin, but the sprinkles cover a large area in this case. While the toning isn't perfect, it is nice and finding original XF 1905-O barber halves is something that happens very infrequently.

Here is one I have graded a VF35. 1905-O VF35.

Tyler

jdimmick

Tyler, Mike, Dave, 291, and all the other folks Thanks for your comments.

I didnt buy this coin for my self. I bought it for eventual re-sell, cause I thought it was a good buy. I was looking in a local shop today and the dealer had this coin marked Vf-20 with a 195.00 price tag, I got him down to 165.00 and bought it. I thought the coin looked Xf-40. The toning streaks on the obverse gave it a little neg in the eye-appeal dept, but not as bad in person. I would have like to have gotten it off, but didnt want too ruin the original surfaces.

So I wont mess with it and probably send it off to ANACS at 15.00 5 day and add to my travel pouch of coins, I trade around with.

thanks
jim dimmick

Cratylus

Hey Jim,
Depending on how decent this coin looks in person, I'd be interesting in purchasing it from you. I'm looking to upgrade this date in my collection, so don't send it off to ANACS just yet... if you're interested in selling it, that is.

pursuitofliberty

Jim,

Got in on this one late, but defiantely don't dip it. Nice EF's are just to hard to find and they really look silly (IMHO) when they're white.

Todd

MFH

Jim,

Sell the coin to Cratylus, he's a good guy...

Okay, now Cratylus, sell me your 98-Micro O, I'm a good guy too !

Wondo

XF45

aussielover

Very nice find.. It's definite XF40!
Let me know when you're ready to sell

Brian