Guess the grade: Barber half 1893 o-- Grade revealed, last post

InYHWHWeTrust

From Mike Flanagan earlier this year, fresh back from the koolaid factory:





Not the most gorgeous two-tone, but original appearing, no hairlines or obvious dipped surfaces, a darker slate gray, could use a little more contrast on the high spots, but tough as nails to find in midgrades. Typical weakness upper R (facing) shield and eagle's leg/claw. What is your grade?

I'll post the grade after all the regulars chime in, and anyone else who wants to play. Thanks!

Don

TomB

That's a tough coin and it looks like a VF35 to me.

StrikeOutXXX

Nice coin - Not quite an XF, I'd give it a VF30/35.

BlindedByEgo

VF35

Edscoin

VF 35

cmerlo1

EF40

GoldenEyeNumismatics

screams VF35

MFH

Don,

Coin just qualifies for an XF 40 grade, but wouldn't be too surprised if it earned a VF 35.

Nice coin, BTW.

Elbesaar

Dollarhunter

VF 30

relicsncoins

Looks VF-33, so I'll round down and call it a VF-30 though choice for the grade.

JJ

speety

Looks like a nice VF-35 too me.

DennisH

VF35. Nice coin!

Numismanic

VF35

JeremyDie1

VF 30. Very nice Barber!!

Shortgapbob

VF 30

remumc

I'm in with the VF30 crowd.

Regards,

Wayne

Dave99B

Very nice! An obvious VF 38.87608

Dave

USCGCraig

Don,

Very nice coin and great pics. Becuase it is an "O" mint, I'd go with XF40. if it was a Philly or San Fran, then I'd go VF35.

Craig

Barberman55

I'll go with VF-35 too!

Mowgli

I was trying to decide on whether to buy a VF35 1904-S half so I looked at a bunch of VF35s to see whether the one being offered was typical. Based on the dozen or so TPG VF35s that I saw, I would say that this coin has a stronger band below LIBERTY and more wing feathers. IMHO this looks more like an XF40 than a VF35.

STONE

I'm sure it got a VF-35, but I'm going to say VF-30

Nice looking coin

MrBreeze

40, for the same reason as Craig.

rec78

35 anyday-40 on a good day

Barberian

IMO, this is XF40 for a New Orleans Barber. However, if I recall correctly, this coin had some slight rim nicks around 9:00 on the reverse. Therefore, I would knock it back to VF35.

Of course, neither of us bid VF or XF money for the coin.

1907Quarter

closest to 35 I think, classic wear pattern, those who say 30 are on the money too, but I think closer to 35

ARCO

Based purely on technical grade it looks closer to VF35. PCGS would grade it XF40 I am certain. I would pay XF money for it in a second.

Tyler

USCGCraig

So what is it Don?

bidask

vf 35..ef 40

InYHWHWeTrust

Sorry, I was slammed and didn't get lunch today, so just checking in. Thanks for all the responses, that really makes it worthwhile and appreciate the learning. It is interesting how tight everyone's assessments are VF30-XF40, no F or AU guesses, for grading to be 'subjective' and all that. Experienced eyes know what a borderline VF-XF looks like and you nailed it; the grading system is imperfect , but it works fine for circulated coins.

I bought it thinking XF, esp with the O mint allowance, but I believe the toning is what held it back in PCGS eyes. If it was brighter, they would have 40'ed it all day long. The lines go all the way to end of the R wing (facing) and some 3D to the L wing even.



Thanks again!

Don

PS Rick, there is a micro rim nick at the second L in Dollar, barely visible to naked eye, greatly magnified on the pic. I seriously doubt it held it back though, but is a thought nonetheless.

MFH

Don...

Looks like the Barberites were split down the middle on this VF35/XF40 coin;
...as Dave99B mentioned it was a 39.875 or some such...which is exactly what it is.

When are you going to do another Photo-Shop of the Dansco to include this ? Next year
when I drive thru VA on my "free all expenses paid vacation" provided by TwoToneVF35...
I'll drop off my Barbers for you to enjoy for five weeks...then you can image them to your
heart's content !!