My first-ever Barber Half.....

norwegianguy

I just bought my first-ever Barber Half this summer.

I paid far too much for it, but I like it. For being my first-ever of this series, I think it is in a pretty decent condition.

One thing I am concerned about, though, is the tiny....really tiny... green spot in libertys hair just below U in TRUST. I just wonder... will this cause the coin to BB if I try to sumbit it? It's really minor, but I've heard that TPG's are strict on this. (And yes, I do want to submit it sooner or later, because I don't really know this series well enough to decide whether it is AU or MS. )

Steve27

I wouldn't worry about a BB, but green on silver coins is usually associated with PVC; thus, I recommend a rinse in acetone. As for the coin, it has a super nice original look, but I think it's an AU58.

Broadstruck

I see no green spot... it could just be verdigris as this coin is very crusty.

It has a lot of eye appeal and I second the CH AU grade slab-a-bility!

291fifth

Nice looking AU55. Just a bit too much wear for a 58 by my standards.

NHSBaseball

I got this R-5 half dime off the Bay for next to nothing, probably because of the huge green spot. I soaked it in acetone and it is totally gone. I don't think it was PVC, though, because it hadn't eaten into the coin, and the toning was still even gray underneath. The acetone caused no change in the color of the coin.

Very nice Barber, by the way.

MFH

<< <i>I wouldn't worry about a BB, but green on silver coins is usually associated with PVC; thus, I recommend a rinse in acetone. As for the coin, it has a super nice original look, but I think it's an AU58. >>





I agree, its a great looking coin - and - again - without the coin in hand, its difficult to determine if there's any rub on the coin what so ever.

If there are no luster breaks, the coin could just as easily be a MS 64. Minor marks on the portrait would account for that 64 grade.

Excellent start to a wonderful series. Congratulations.

I see you're fairly new to the Forums -

Tvac897

Congrats on the pick up...did you get that from the bay? or was it a show pick up?

norwegianguy

Thanks. I bought it from a dealer here in Norway. But, as I said in the OP, I paid far too much for it. Paid MS price, but alas... as long as I like it

The same dealer told me that next week he will get in a complete collection of US commemorative halves. Unfortunately mainly AU grade, I think, but he offered me to preview it before he puts it in his shop.

robkool

AU58...

ARCO

I agree with Mike. I do not see any luster breaks and without seeing the coin in hand I would venture a 63 or 64 grade. AU58's these days are graded such when they are fairly baggy and don't have near that much undisturbed luster. Secondly, the coin is absolutely the way I love them -- totally original and beautifully toned. I love Unc. coins with the slightly muted luster and the proportional toning in the devices just like your coin. Many coins are either dipped or the toning detracts from the eye appeal. Yours has original surfaces with toning that adds to the eye appeal IMO.

I absolutely love it.

Tyler

MisterBungle

I agree that it is a nice Barber Half!!

If you do the acetone dip, make sure that what
you buy is 100% acetone, poured into a glass
bowl. Don't use acetone with a Q-Tip, because
it will melt the plastic stick and put plastic goo
all over your coin.

Rinse well under running water, then rinse with
distilled water.

Use in a well ventilated area (like outdoors) and
try not to breathe in the fumes.

Other than that, have fun!!

~

ricman

What a beautiful first Barber Half. Is this the beginning????

pursuitofliberty

Sweetheart coin N-guy!!

I agree with the posters that are in the very probable MS63/4 camp. I do not see any wear, nor any reason this coin
wouldn't slab Mint State from our host, or ATS. Even on the off chance it 58'd, it's worth MS money.

As far as a small pin-point green spot, it is probably verdigris. No way to tell for certain, but I would consider a tooth pick
to see if it dislodges before I would consider a dip, even in acetone. Whatever you do, be VERY careful. That is a wholey
original half, from what I can tell, and EXTREMELY desirable as such.

Nice ... VERY nice!

PonyExpress8

Beautiful coin and without seeing it in hand I would think it might grade 64 if there are no luster breaks. I especially like how original the surfaces are and the strike is very nice as well. You have a good eye. The small green spot will probably neutralize with a careful acetone treatment as others have stated. It is so small though I would not be too concerned about it and if you have little experience with conserving a coin you might consider getting it graded via NCS, the NGC conservation service.

After conservation they will forward it to NGC or PCGS for grading and encapsulation if the coin can be graded depending upon your desire for which service you would like it graded at. Good luck and happy hunting. Those commems should be a lot of fun to look at too!

Raybo

"I paid far too much for it"

Join the club!
Paying to much is my MO.

Very nice Barber, and an acetone soak will take care of that spot.

Ray

coinkat

nice coin 58 minimum and if that spot bugs you, try using a toothpick.

MS is possible but I would want to see it ih nand first.

Bear

The feathers on the eagle are extraordinary.
While it is difficult to judge the luster from a
picture, the coin seems AU-58 but could go higher.
I would send it in for grading and see what it grades.

TomB

It looks spectacular and my knee-jerk reaction is that the coin is MS.

DoubleEagle59

ms63,

great looking coin!

66Tbird

Hmmm, interesting responses on a nice coin. First place I noticed was high cheek area by the nose and the leaves high point toning change , sweet 58 was my knee jerk.. Good start, long road,

Barberman55

Real sweet looking Barber.....like others have said, could be MS, but hard to tell without looking at the coin in hand. Minimum, AU-58, and a great strike to boot. In hand, the coin probably has wonderful underlying luster too. I've seen quite a few Barber halves (in both NGC and PCGS holders), that had small green spots on the coin's surfaces. Like Todd said, probably verdigris, and when I do see it, it's usually on the crusty Barbers. If it was up to me, I'd probably leave it alone and not mess with it. Congratulations on a super pickup!

norwegianguy

Today I bough my Barber Half #3. (The second one was a lower grade 1899).

My third one was this:





I keep overpaying. Both the first one and this one cost me about 500 dollars each. It's a pretty expensive hobby...

Broadstruck

<< <i>Today I bough my Barber Half #3. (The second one was a lower grade 1899).

My third one was this:





I keep overpaying. Both the first one and this one cost me about 500 dollars each. It's a pretty expensive hobby... >>



The 1895 looks like it could be another beauty based on the scans... can't wait to see your own pics!

sweetwilliet

Not my series, but that barber half looks all of ms64 to me.

rld14

I wouldn't be afraid of either Barber at $500 each. I don't collect Barbers, but the dealers that I trust who do handle them have said that they bring HUGE premiums if they are truly original and high grade. I read something recently about Barbers... "Barbers come two ways, either worn out or very expensive".

Beautiful purchase, well done!

COALPORTER

I gamble on AUs being the grades.
Let us know how they grade at the TPGs.
$500 is an AU price.
I'd have to recheck, but I think MS64s are a couple grand now- almost as bad as seated halfs

TomB

I still like the 1892, but honestly do not care for the 1895.

anablep

Congrats on the first 3 Barbers... How many left to go?

That's a long and difficult series; sound like the Barber bug bit you!!

TwoSides2aCoin

Generally speaking, the only time a guy pays too much for a coin is on Coin Vault or one of the many Cable Television Programs peddling coins. I think you're safe.

norwegianguy

I received the 1895 coin today. Put it in an airtight and scanned it. Now it looks like this:




Not too bad, I think

illini420

<< <i>I received the 1895 coin today. Put it in an airtight and scanned it. Now it looks like this:


Not too bad, I think >>



I agree with you, and I really don't think you've been overpaying, especially if you like the coin unless the coins have some sort of problem that can't be seen by photos. and if either of those slab as MS, you've done very well.

Musky1011

You cannot pay too much for something you like

braddick

(Outside of the rim) that 1892 has PROOF qualities about it.

I like it a lot.
Sweet coin.

MFH

I like the newp # 3 - nice 1895-P Half.

Looks alot like the 92 - and without the
coin in hand, its hard to say AU 58 - MS 63-64.

$500 is not that much for these coins.