Missed on a 1904 s Barber Half

Barberman55

Thanks to all the forum members who welcomed me to the boards.

To all those Barber half collectors out there, did anyone see the 1904-s Barber half, PCGS graded AU-58, that Alpine Numismatics, Inc., had for sale on their website, on Monday, 01/03/05? By the time I had called on Monday, they already had received tons of phone calls related to that coin, and it was long sold. The coin was still pictured on their website this morning, even though it is sold. The price seemed resonable too, $3,250.00 for a key date, pop 1 coin. I know recently, a 1904-s Barber half, graded by PCGS as AU-55, was selling for over $4,000.00. That coin was obviously cleaned, (and said so by the owner), and a real dog in my opinion. I have been looking for nice 1904-s Barber half for some time now, and I guess I'll be waiting a while longer.

OnlyBuffalos

Welcome Dan. I hope you find the forum as beneficial as I have.

Alpine Numismatic sometimes has coins that are seldom available online. I think that is in part due to the relatively low consignment fee that Dave Olmstead charges and also his impeccable reputation for honesty and fair dealings. Many people who have purchased coins from him, trade in or sell the coins back to Dave. His better offerings usually sell very quickly.

Dave usually posts his new coins for sale late in the evening. If you find something you must have, send him an email at once. Don't wait to call him the next day. I have my credit card on file with him which gives credibility to my firm offer via email. I have purchased several coins this way before any caller had a chance to inquire about the coin I wanted.

Lastly, get on his email list as he does send out notices within hours of his new listings.

Barberman55

Thanks for all the information. I have since been put on Alpine's email list, so that I will be informed of all new purchases. I agree, the only chance I had at that coin, was to call the night before, and even then, the chances were slim.

ziggy29

If there are THAT many inquiries to buy the coin within a few hours of posting its availability, then they priced it too low!

dimples

I sold my 04-s PCGS 45 for $2300 to Al Adams rare coins about 5 months ago. He had a collector who had it on his want list. It had a nice original olive color to it.

I think Dave sold it too cheaply. It was probably a consignment piece so it really didn't matter to him. I had him raise my prices on coins I consigned through him for some semi-key morgans and 6 out of nine still sold within a day.


Dan

jdimmick

Dan,

The PCGS-55 that was recently for sale was the coin I bought from a local dealer prior to the ANA show. It had been dipped and not a coin that I would normally purchase. But its a date that doesnt come around to often, so I did. However, I saw a PCGS-53 at the ANA show that a collector had that was totally original and nice. I offered him a flat 6k on the spot and he turned me down cold. I ended up re-selling the PCGS-55 just recently thru a major firm on a consignment deal. Even though I was only intrested in getting my original purchase price back out, I believe it sold for near 4700.00.

Funny thing is I got a call from a freind who recieved a contact on a 1904-s Barber Half in 58 on Monday, but he wouldnt disclose who had it or where. Anyway, He is having it sent to him on approval as we speak, and I am curious if this is the same coin??? Although I thought he said NGc-58

I just went and looked at this coin and if its a nice as it looks, the price was way to cheap!!!! I would have paid 6k for it easily ? Also, this coin was just made recently as thier were no PCGS-58's since the last one was regraded a year or so ago?
jim

jim

Casey

What a nice score. I too would have nabbed it in a second.

dimples

Jim I agree ...I would have snapped it up myself if I had known...oh well someone got a great deal....if like you said it's as nice as the photo.

MFH

Okay, I gotta chime in.

I have bought a few coins over the years from Alpine, and would have bought alot more, but most of the coins I call on are already sold by the time I got their price list.

$3250 for a 1904-S in a PCGS AU 58 is a steal. Dave left alot of money on the table.

I paid very close to that amount for a PCGS AU 55 last year and although initially I felt I paid a tad too high, I have since felt that the coin was an opportunity that wouldn't come around again for many years
( it was a POP 1 coin when I bought it ).

I think that I'll be giving my want list to Dave Olmstead in the immediate furure.

Dan F.: Welcome to the Forums. I love the Arkansas you posted.

coinvet

I am starting to get into Barber series [10, 25 & 50], the only silver I collect, and was wondering how tough is the half series in say, XF-AU? I know the other 2 have some real stoppers but the halves seem alot easier. Is that the case?

Edited to add:
Is the 1904 s the only key? Here's one for those looking for a high end piece. Other than ebay/auctions houses who are the good dealers for circulated [XF-AU] barbers in PCGS?

Barberman55

Coinvet,

Barber halves in original, (not cleaned or dipped), XF-AU condition, are very tough to come by, and this includes certified coins. Although there aren't any major keys, like for the barber quarters, there are a couple of very rare and expensive varieties, (1892 and 1898 micro "O" mintmark). The 1904-s will run about $5,000 and up in AU condition (ignore the book value for this date). There are, the 1901-s, 1896-o, 1897-s, and 1897-o, to name a few, which are scarce in these grades.

David Lawrence Rare Coins, JJ Teaparty, Steve Estes, Randy Holder, Harry Laibstain, are all dealers that carry a nice supply of Barber coins. I hope this helps you.