Barber Halves - removed mintmarks on 1913, 1914, and 1915?

RichieURich

I've been looking for some 1913, 1914, and 1915 Philadelphia mint Barber Halves for my inventory and it seems that just about every one I look at has scratches in the area where a mintmark would be. I even had a customer at a show make the same observation (not about my inventory, as I was out of stock). Two questions: Is anyone else making this same observation? Are there any diagnostic markers for these P mint halves that can be used for authentication?

ARCO

Removing mintmarks historically has not been a very common occurance for counterfeiters in the past. I think I read an article by David Bowers that mentioned the fact that counterfeiters have mostly ignored the Barber half series. I have seen one example (1915) with a removed mintmark, and it was skillfully done.

I don't believe there are any documented diagnostics to check as it has been so uncommon in the past. I have owned many P - mint halves that have had some scratch or hit to the mintmark area that made me pull out my loupe and even my 30X scope to better study the area for potential alterations. Ultimately, if the scratches are uncommon in shape and size to other normal scratches or dings on the coin, or they cause suspicions, then that might be the best indicator to pass on the coin.

Tyler

MrBreeze

I have seen some questionable coins with similar looks. I also owned a 1910-s, which I bought as a 1910. The mintmark was so light and barely visible, you needed a microscope to see it well. But, that piece showed no signs of being tampered with, just a weak mintmark.

TomB

I have never encountered this problem with Barber half dollars.

TheRaven

I have those three coins raw, as are all my Barber coins, and just have to be awake when looking at these coins.....

I have never seen a removed mint mark coin to my knowledge, cleaning is the only problem I typically see.....

MFH

Although I have not encountered any Barber halves with their mint marks removed, I have heard that quite a few 1921 Walkers had the "S" mint mark removed as its mintage was quite a bit larger than its Philadelphia counterpart. Nothing would surprise me about someone removing mint marks from 1913 - 1915 halves.

TheRaven

Nothing would surprise me as the dollar difference is getting more and more as time goes bye.....

A shame that is what it would be.....

rb345

On a positive note, if removed "s" mintmarks can fit unnoticeably on 1901 and 1913 quarters, their removal from 1913-1915 half dollars will
not trigger complaints from environmentists because of their recyclability.