Barber book?

CUEBALL

Does anyone know of a book on the market that gives information on grading Barber half dollars and thier rarity ratings and maybe thier striking characteristics or other information about them in circulated grades. I have 8 or 9 pieces in the VF to EF range and would like to attempt a set but don't know much about them.

TheRaven

There is a book on Certified Barber coins but don't think you want that.

I think they are planning on putting out a official guide book of barber coins from the red book people. I have the book on Double Eagles and Morgans and those are excellent, so that book should be good when it comes out.

I am working on a Barber half set in the grade of VG (Full rims on front and back). I have 32 of 73 so far hoping to get a good number tomarrow at a show.

In VF/EF that will be a major major challenge. I am having a hard time finding the 19th century halves so far at all.

ARCO

David Lawrence's, "Complete Guide to Barber Halves", is the most comprehensive book available specifically for Barber halves in the circulated grades. It gives rarity ratings and some striking characteristics of the dates in the series. "The complete guide to Certified Barber Coinage" focuses more on the uncirculated grades of ALL three series equally.

The Barber Coin Collectors Society (BCCS) is a collectors club that offers quarterly journals dedicated wholly to the three Barber series of half, quarter and dime.

Tyler

TheRaven

I do want to get that Barber book from D Lawrence. Have not been able to find it.

DrPete

The book by David Lawrence was published about 1991 and is out of print. It would be a great resource for you if you can find one. Check with a dealer that handles used numismatic books. Occasionally one of these books is available on eBay, too. I consider my copy an important reference book.

As already mentioned, the Barber Coin Collector's Society publishes quarterly journals and some of the early back issues covered relative rarity of the coins. The back issues are mostly available for purchase. There are some members on this board that also carry a strong working knowledge of rarity of these coins in their heads from experience.

CUEBALL

Thanks for your replies, from what i have heard I might have to lower my expectations to F to VF.I will check the Lawrence book out.