Please evaluate this Barber half

Casey

This is a new purchase. Please tell me what you like/dislike about it. What do you think it's graded? It's in a PCGS holder.

lordmarcovan

What's not to like? Looks very nice. The lighting in the pic is a little funky, but you can tell it's a handsome coin.

I can't really guess the grade from that picture. 63 would be my W.A.G., but I'd wanna see a better pic.

Nice luster and none of that ugly streaky or mottled toning. Looks great to me.

K6AZ

Looks like a nice original coin, but I couldn't begin to guess the grade. I'm not an expert in this series, and the images are a little small.

roadrunner

I like the look but don't think this is an UNC. The obv fields look a bit open and Libertys' cheek is entirely unfrosted. Could be the lighting angle but I don't think so. Frost on the nose and brow show up (more protected) and those are at a similar angle. Nice AU58?

roadrunner

lordmarcovan

58 or 63 would've been my guess. I'll just say 63.

robertpr

I'm guessing it's more like this right?

Casey

Wow, robertpr - that's closer than my image. What did you do? I get better images with natural light, but I'm limited this evening.

magikbilly

<< <i>I like the look but don't think this is an UNC. The obv fields look a bit open and Libertys' cheek is entirely unfrosted. Could be the lighting angle but I don't think so. Frost on the nose and brow show up (more protected) and those are at a similar angle. Nice AU58?

roadrunner >>



I think I agree with you.

Billy

robertpr

Photoshop.

Curves, white sample at the brightest point on the image (I think I used a spot right in the center of a cartwheel on the coin), midtone sample at a greyish spot on the slab.

Then, levels (by hand) to fine tune it. I was guessing that you had a sheet of white paper behind the PCGS slab.

Casey

You guys are right on. It is an AU58. Pretty clean fields and looks original.

lordmarcovan

Nice 58. Lotsa bang fer the buck.

robertpr

I was also guessing at 58. The color break on the cheek is likely due to the lighting. However, there clearly is rub on the neck directly below the ear. It's more dramatic in my color-enhanced photo but also evident in the original photo presented by Casey.

BigGreek

I think it looks nice. Can't tell much about the color since the balance is way off.
Grade looks like a 53.

MikeInFL

A nice well-struck coin. 50 something. Can't tell from pics. FWIW, I like the coin quite a bit...Mike

MFH

AU 58 coins should all look this nice. Congrats Casey. Nice pick up.

poorguy

I see lots of luster and relatively few contact marks but also some rub in the fields and the high points. AU58. Nice Coin.

BillJones

<< <i>I'm guessing it's more like this right?
>>



If it REALLY looks like that, I'd say MS-62. The cheek looks a bit gray, which suggests a rub to me. That would make it a real AU-58, but coins like that often end up in MS-62 holders if they have decent eye appeal.

Elcontador

Good call, Robert. You can see the change in color, which is rub, on the upper part of the neck if you look closely enough. I also agree w Bill Jones; resubmit this baby a few times I wouldn't be surprised to see it market graded to MS 62.

The strike is "all there" and the coin has attractive fields.

mozin

You guys don't give us enough time to respond before you drop the hammer on the slab grade. This one I call AU58 anyway.

roadrunner

Typically barbers have to have a full (but can be weak) radial luster
in the fields to make MS. Same for Morgans. This half doesn't appear to have that. Hence I doubt it could ever be market graded as 62.

roadrunner