Need an opinion on Barber half.. (large pic)

aussielover

Hi

Please give thoughts or an opinion on this Barber half. What causes this dark toning, is this considered corroded?

Thanks
Brian

coinfreak499

Nice, non-corroded coin. Looks VF.

Cratylus

On the contrary, the darker toning is normally a sign of originality. The coin appears to have the classic "look" common to midgrade Barbers. You want to look for that medium gray to grayish brown coloration.

The 1896-O is a very difficult date to find in midgrades (thanks to Tyler's mini-hoard of them!). Your specimen looks like a VF20. A very nice looking coin in my opinion.

prooflike

Also known as oxidation, I like this type of corrosion on old circulated pieces, where the fields and crevices are dark, and the higher parts are whiter. It is a nice contrast.

There doesn't appear to be any pitting, just honest wear.

Overall, I like it!

TheRaven

Nice looking half to me.

Cladiator

That aint corrosion, its what some of us affectionately call "gunk" or "grime". A healthy dose of "gunk" is a pre-requisite for a coin to make it into my collection

ARCO

Very scarce date, and it looks VF20. In the old days many coins were stored in old coin albums. My theory is that in a humid area, the coins oxidixed uniformly while in the holder, but where the coin was in contact with the folder the toning was lessened. Thus you get that dark/light contrasts. It is darker in the open fields and lighter on the higher points of the coin that were in contact.

Another problem is that some coins get a bit too dark and collectors did take a cloth to them and rub them some to lighten em' up. This will create light hairlines, and remove some of the toning, but not all. It looks like across the face there might be some light hairlines either from a light rub or from plastic slide marks found in some folders.

If you like it that is what matters, and often this date is found very harshly cleaned if it can be found at all.

Tyler

aussielover

Thanks for all your opinions so far.

And under harsh light, there seems to be hairlines on the face and was wondering if all hairlines are considered cleaned?

Also, how are strikes compared to other "O" mints for this date? LIBERTY is not quite full and the wing span combined not quite make VF20 imo..

Overall, it is very attractive specimen but the hairlines kind a makes me think twice. Would you think pcgs will bag it? If not, what grade?

Thanks
Brian

Cratylus

Don't get too fixated on the completeness of LIBERTY as an "end all" determiner of grading in this series. I've seen many, many VF35 coins where one of LIBERTY's letters is missing a very small tick. You have to grade by looking at the entire coin, not just typical wear patterns. Also remember on many New Orleans coins that the weak strike areas are typically the right wing near the shield, the right claw, and the hair above the brow. This last area often affects how much of LIBERTY wears off in relation to the rest of the coin. The wing detail speaks classic VF20 to me, as does the amount of detail remaining in the laurel wreath.

Speaking of New Orleans, the weak strike from this mint is most prevalent on coins from 1896-1907, with 1902 being the worst year.

As Tyler said, the hairlines on the cheek may be from a light wiping or they might be slide marks from being in a coin album. Personally, I would not send midgrade Barber Halves to PCGS; they absolutely do not know how to grade them correctly and consistently. Sorry, PCGS, but it's true.

MFH

Congratulations on getting one of the hardest dates in mid range circulated condition. The 96-O was the last coin I found in acceptable condition for my VG - VF raw set.

Your coin is a solid VF 20. Great find !

aussielover

Thanks all for the great info.


Brian

coinlieutenant

Very tough date Brian...

John

lordmarcovan

<< <i>is this considered corroded >>



Not by a long shot!

TheRaven

I was thinking the same thing that it appears to be a bit short of VF on the obverse.....

Just curious since there seems to be a number of barber experts on the site how would you in a short blurb grade Barber Halves in G to AU.....

I am working on a VG set which I consider Full rims, partial LIBERTY & E Pluribus Unum and some feathers. Have 34/73 so far.

poorguy

Let me say that the image is very nice.

ARCO

Raven - Your private message Icon is turned off.

Anyway, here is link to a site showing VG10 - VF30 Grading Barber halves

This is a cursory grading criteria for the halves, but strike must be taken into account on some dates. The early O mint coins of 1895-1902 are the most notorious for being weakly struck.

G4 = mostly full rims (early S & O mint dates tended to wear unevenly, and the reverse wears away much faster)
G6 = Full rims (almost always), 1 or 2 letters of LIBERTY.
VG8 = Full rims (this is a must at VG8) Three letters of LIBERTY, some laurel wreath detail
VG10 = Five letters of LIBERTY, almost full laurel wreath (usually last leaf is missing), reverse wing feather has some detail VG10
F12 = All letters of LIBERTY must be visible. Usually the BER is 1/3 full, and just the tops are showing. F12
F15 = All Letters of LIBERTY must be visible. The BER is stronger and about 3/4 present. Reverse wing feather detail is about 1/2 present. F15
F18 = Not a grade commonly used, but for enthusiasts, it is that grade that just barely misses VF F18
VF20 = LIBERTY is complete. Reverse wing feather detail is at about 3/4. VF20
VF30 = LIBERTY is bold. Reverse wing feather detail is almost full, but tips are flat. VF30
XF40 - Band under LIBERTY is defined. Reverse wing feather detail is full and wing tips are complete. XF40
XF45 - Band under LIBERTY is bold. Reverse wing feather tips are three dimensional. XF45


Hopefully that helps some.

Tyler

TheRaven

That is extremely helpful having the mid grades.

I see I was a little harsh in my Fine & Very Fine grading.

MFH

Tyler--- You da man !


Edited to add: I LOVE that XF 1898-O !!!

Cratylus

<< <i>Edited to add: I LOVE that XF 1898-O !!! >>




AGREED!!!

aussielover

<< <i>And under harsh light, there seems to be hairlines on the face >>



I take this back. **ok after starring at the coin for more than 2 hrs my eyes are now well.. i see dead people** Anyway I concluded that they are not hairlines, they are light scratches from either plastic slides or normal wear.. ok, I feel much better now.


Brian