Started a new set today: Barber Quarters

rhedden · March 13, 2009 4:28AM

Although I have a really nice set of Barber dimes, I have not previously started a set of either the quarters or halves. So today at lunch, I was thinking about how much I like pretty toned Barber quarters, and I decided to start acquiring a few. I decided to do this series differently, compared to other sets I have put together. I am only going to buy AU and Unc. coins that have great eye appeal, regardless of grade; and I am not going to worry about how long it takes me to complete the series. I don't care if I ever have an 1896-S, 1901-S, and 1913-S, as I think all three issues are overpriced for their scarcity (with apologies to those who own them). When I returned from lunch, I found four freshly listed, Barber quarters for sale on a favorite dealer's website, three with nice toning, and all are PCGS to boot! These are not that easy to find, much less in groups of four. Three of the coins are PCGS AU58, and one is PCGS AU55.

A few questions for you:

1) Can you guess which one is the AU55?

2) Did anyone on these boards recently sell these?

seanq · March 13, 2009 4:33AM

I think the 1914 is the 55. It also happens to be my favorite of the group you posted. Good luck with your new set, it's certainly off to a great start.

Sean Reynolds

AUandAG · March 13, 2009 5:24AM

At first glance I'd say the 14 but on a closer examination I'd say the 15 (reverse shield).

bob

JoeLewis · March 13, 2009 5:26AM

That 1911 is beautiful

TheRaven · March 13, 2009 5:59AM

I would go with 15-S.....

I really like that 14.....

A challenge you have to be sure.....

Tonelover · March 13, 2009 6:02AM

I know which one is the 55, they all originally came out of my set. It's amazing to me that they are on a dealer's site already after just being sold to another collector about a whole month ago. They're all really nice, the 14-D is gorgeous and way better than that picture.

guitarwes · March 13, 2009 6:08AM

The 14 or 15 is the 55. All are extremely nice. Best of luck on this set. I've always wanted to get into the nice high end AU/low MS Barber Quarters, but the pocketbook says otherwise. If all the coins you acquire are like these, this is gonna be one heckuva nice set.

-wes

bushmaster8 · March 13, 2009 6:25AM

You got yerself some nice coins there with a nice pedigree. Tonelover has a great eye, especially for Barber quarters.

rhedden · March 13, 2009 6:27AM

If all the coins you acquire are like these, this is gonna be one heckuva nice set.

I think it would take a number of years (decades?) to finish this entire series in beautifully toned AU/Unc. The key dates may not even exist in this grade with pretty toning. What I will probably end up with is a box of really nice looking quarters that are not a complete date/mm set, or even close to it, and the box may include a few duplicate dates. I should have done the same thing with the dimes instead of trying to take on the whole series.

yellowjacket · March 13, 2009 6:33AM

I have always thought any set of colorful, well-struck AU coins would be a difficult, yet, less expensive way to collect.

You have a great start to a potentially wonderful set. Good luck with the hunt!

And by the way, if they present themselves, why not start with the more expensive coins first since they aren't going to get any cheaper?
Garrow

Edit for typo's.

JMW · March 13, 2009 6:38AM

Great start on a very challenging series. I think the 14 is the AU

Tonelover · March 13, 2009 6:41AM

I want them back!

Mowgli · March 13, 2009 6:48AM

I completed my AU Barber quarter set this January and I'd be hard pressed to find one as nice as your 14-D. BTW - it only took 26 months to complete the set (no 01-S on purpose).

STONE · March 13, 2009 6:55AM

Nice NewP's and best of luck on the set.

If you need any guidance, I'm sure Sunnywood could give you some pointers.

rhedden · March 13, 2009 7:08AM

Here is Tonelover's nicer pic of the 1914-D.

coolest · March 13, 2009 7:54AM

I started this same set about a year ago.

I am looking for VF-EF coins but I will buy AU coins if they are nice and crusty.

The last coin show I went to I did not find a single coin.

It will take many years to complete this set.

I wonder how long before you are forced to start buying raw coins?

originalisbest · March 13, 2009 9:17AM

All beautiful! Yes, I would argue that tonelover knows his nice Barbers. Congrats on a great start!

Elcontador · March 13, 2009 10:09AM

You'll get nicer Barber Quarters for the grade than the halves, and the quarters are cheaper, too, with exception of the keys. Imo, you'll also have a much easier time finding, say, an attractive 63 quarter than half. I spent four years before I found an acceptable Barber Half in MS 65. The quarters were easier to find.

golfer72 · March 13, 2009 10:46AM

Those are some great looking Barbers. I always liked the Barber quarters. Good luck with the set.

rhedden · March 13, 2009 10:52AM

You'll get nicer Barber Quarters for the grade than the halves, and the quarters are cheaper

Now that you mention it, I don't see many Barber halves in the AU to lower MS grade range with pretty toning. Most are dipped blast white, or else they are original but not colorful (grayish-brownish). There are surely some pretty toned halves out there in the MS65 and up category, but much like their similarly graded dime and quarter counterparts, they are very expensive and usually held in strong hands.

Edited to add: It is the 1909-D that is graded AU55; the three remaining coins are AU58s. I agree that the 1914-D has a little more wear than the others, but the toning must have given it a little grade bump.

Mercury10c · March 13, 2009 11:19AM

The 14 is the 55.

Broadstruck · March 13, 2009 3:58PM

I only have one AU64 example... these can be really addictive!

1892-O Ty 1 Hub PCGS AU58 (Red Spot on the reverse over the "T" in quarter is in the PCGS slab acrylic... not on the coin. )

dogwood · March 13, 2009 4:21PM

My favorite set and it's always gonna be a work in progress.
Most are crusty VF/XF with a few better date AU's in a Dansco.
...but here's one I keep in a tomb.

illini420 · March 13, 2009 7:03PM

Very nice

The 1909-O above is pretty sweet too.

Here's a pretty sweet looking MS63 I just picked up, they can be addicting:

MFH · March 13, 2009 10:42PM

Very nice looking quarters.

I am familiar with the background color, I wish I had
remembered to bookmark that dealer. I could have
upgraded my 14-D in AU 55 with that AU 58. Oh well.

Tonelover's tastes are such that I am sure you
are pleased with these newps.

Yes, it'll take years to get an evenly matched collection
but in the end you'll be more than pleased. Nice start !!

rhedden · March 14, 2009 3:34AM

I could have upgraded my 14-D in AU 55 with that AU 58. Oh well.

I needed it worse than you did! Prior to this, I only had two Barber quarters- a raw, colorfully toned 1898-P in XF, and a raw, totally crusty 1909-S in XF.

Edited to add: I'm somewhat disturbed to learn that the seller listed these coins for sale on ebay earlier today, with BINs, after I bought them over the phone yesterday. Good thing I apparently caught it before they sold to someone else. Major heart attack, though.

PaleElf · March 14, 2009 5:52AM

I was considering purchasing the 1914 on Thursday. I should have pulled the trigger quicker.

stockwiz · March 14, 2009 8:26AM

nice coins! I just bought my first since last summer... 1897-o PCGS VF-25 nice original looking. I like em in all grades, from nice F to MS. They all look beautiful to me.... so do the goods if the coin is expensive enough. lol

MFH · March 14, 2009 9:44AM

<< I could have upgraded my 14-D in AU 55 with that AU 58. Oh well.

I needed it worse than you did! Prior to this, I only had two Barber quarters- a raw, colorfully toned 1898-P in XF, and a raw, totally crusty 1909-S in XF.

Edited to add: I'm somewhat disturbed to learn that the seller listed these coins for sale on ebay earlier today, with BINs, after I bought them over the phone yesterday. Good thing I apparently caught it before they sold to someone else. Major heart attack, though. >>

Just checked their web-site - they removed these coins.

Why not add your newps to the "Monster Barber Thread" ?

coolest · March 15, 2009 4:45AM

<< Although I have a really nice set of Barber dimes, I have not previously started a set of either the quarters or halves. So today at lunch, I was thinking about how much I like pretty toned Barber quarters, and I decided to start acquiring a few. I decided to do this series differently, compared to other sets I have put together. I am only going to buy AU and Unc. coins that have great eye appeal, regardless of grade; and I am not going to worry about how long it takes me to complete the series. I don't care if I ever have an 1896-S, 1901-S, and 1913-S, as I think all three issues are overpriced for their scarcity (with apologies to those who own them). When I returned from lunch, I found four freshly listed, Barber quarters for sale on a favorite dealer's website, three with nice toning, and all are PCGS to boot! These are not that easy to find, much less in groups of four. Three of the coins are PCGS AU58, and one is PCGS AU55.

A few questions for you:

1) Can you guess which one is the AU55?

2) Did anyone on these boards recently sell these?

>>

I forgot to ask are you paying over greysheet price for these coins?

rhedden · March 15, 2009 5:09AM

I'm sure these cost more than greysheet AU levels, but I didn't bother to look. I am not concerned about my ability to get my money back out of these, though. If you can find someone who sells coins like the 1914-D pictured for greysheet prices, please drop me a note so I can buy those up.

Broadstruck · March 15, 2009 5:42AM

<< If you can find someone who sells coins like the 1914-D pictured for greysheet prices, please drop me a note so I can buy those up. >>

PM me too!

coolest · March 15, 2009 7:35AM

<< I'm sure these cost more than greysheet AU levels, but I didn't bother to look. I am not concerned about my ability to get my money back out of these, though. If you can find someone who sells coins like the 1914-D pictured for greysheet prices, please drop me a note so I can buy those up. >>

I am actually more concerned with what are the real selling prices for EX-AU Barber quarters.

I am suspecting that the Greysheet may not be an accurate picture for these coins, although I believe that for many series the Sheet tell an accurate story.

rhedden · March 15, 2009 8:39AM

I'll further my comments regarding the greysheet, as it applies to Barber coins. For a common date, average coin in uncertified AU50, with decent but unremarkable eye appeal, the greysheet may be a good indicator, as it is for most "widgets." I am talking about a 1909-P or 1916-D Barber quarter in decent average AU50, either slabbed or raw, or a 1916-P Barber dime in nice original XF40. I wouldn't pay over Ask for those "generic" type coins. The same would hold for a typical dipped-out AU50 Barber half in a slab. These coins are always available, so why pay anything extra for them? The same may not be true for a Barber quarter in PCGS AU58 with especially attractive rainbow rim toning, or the crusty, choice, original 1909-o quarter (much better date) that made an appearance in this thread. There are many, many people looking for coins like these, and the first person to see the coin offered for sale is often the lucky buyer. The "going rate" for these coins cannot be determined from the greysheet, as there may only be a few examples of the coin available with the desirable characteristics (toning, original surfaces, strike, etc.) that many people are looking for. I used to refuse to buy PQ coins if they were priced much above Ask, but I learned the hard way that your collection (or inventory, if you're a dealer) will end up being an accumulation of average-looking widgets if you are a cheapskate when it come to quality. Those who live and die by the 'sheet end up with a hoard of blast white 1881-S dollars, while the people who pay a little over 'sheet to get unique coins have better inventory/better collections at the end of the day.

How much over sheet is the 1914-D quarter in this thread worth? I don't know, but I saw $180 in it and didn't have a problem pulling the trigger at that number. What is Bid for an MS60 1914-D anyway?

Mowgli · March 15, 2009 9:46AM

<< How much over sheet is the 1914-D quarter in this thread worth? I don't know, but I saw $180 in it and didn't have a problem pulling the trigger at that number. What is Bid for an MS60 1914-D anyway? >>

155 Bid - 170 Ask

BTW - I picked up a 1909-O AU55 quarter, which is an R-6/7, for $750. MS 60 Greysheet bid is $600 and I feel like I stole it.

MFH · March 15, 2009 11:34AM

<< 

BTW - I picked up a 1909-O AU55 quarter, which is an R-6/7, for $750. MS 60 Greysheet bid is $600 and I feel like I stole it. >>

You ripped it !!!

illini420 · March 15, 2009 11:40AM

<< 

<< 

BTW - I picked up a 1909-O AU55 quarter, which is an R-6/7, for $750. MS 60 Greysheet bid is $600 and I feel like I stole it. >>

You ripped it !!! >>

WOW!! Didn't the AU58 recently go for about $4k on Heritage??? (about the same price I paid for my MS64!!).

I'll buy your AU55 for $825, what's wrong with a nice 10% profit for ya??

well done

coolest · March 15, 2009 1:44PM

<< 

<< 

<< 

BTW - I picked up a 1909-O AU55 quarter, which is an R-6/7, for $750. MS 60 Greysheet bid is $600 and I feel like I stole it. >>

You ripped it !!! >>

WOW!! Didn't the AU58 recently go for about $4k on Heritage??? (about the same price I paid for my MS64!!).

I'll buy your AU55 for $825, what's wrong with a nice 10% profit for ya??

well done

>>

Wow the last EF40 coin I saw sold for $1400.

That is amazing @$750

Mowgli · March 16, 2009 2:30AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< 

BTW - I picked up a 1909-O AU55 quarter, which is an R-6/7, for $750. MS 60 Greysheet bid is $600 and I feel like I stole it. >>

You ripped it !!! >>

WOW!! Didn't the AU58 recently go for about $4k on Heritage??? (about the same price I paid for my MS64!!).

I'll buy your AU55 for $825, what's wrong with a nice 10% profit for ya??

well done

>>

Wow the last EF40 coin I saw sold for $1400.

That is amazing @$750 >>

Thank you, thank you. It was at FUN where (I think) the 58 went for $4K and another 58 (I think) went for ~$3K. I was expecting to pay over two grand. He had it listed at $850 and I asked what he wanted. It was my last Barber quarter to complete the set. He told me if he had known it was the last one he would have stuck to $850. I guess even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.

dogwood · March 16, 2009 4:51AM

I don't mind saying I paid 1500 raw for the above 55 and it made my year, especially when it came back from pcgs in the appropriate holder. I felt even better about the deal because the pcgs 40 which I believe was referenced above was also ex- Me via eBay. I believe I had 350 into it. Greysheet is useless on that coin if you figure it may be the 3rd scarcest coin in the set in XF/AU.

BECOKA · March 16, 2009 6:20AM

All are very nice, by the wing tips I'd say the 1914 is AU55, the rest are very nice and difficult to tell from MS in the photos.

rhedden · March 17, 2009 2:07AM

Last fall, many of you probably saw the nice Bust & Seated quarter set that I bought from a personal friend. I posted some of the better coins on this forum, and a few are reproduced below for kicks, though they are off-topic here.

What I did not mention previously is that I missed out on buying the same gentleman's complete set of Barber quarters in AU-Unc-Prf. 80% of the coins were in PCGS old green holders, in AU55 to MS64 grades, with some of the P-mints being proofs. These were submitted in 1990 and most were undergraded by 1 to 2 points, much like his Barber dime set (which I bought in 2006). The remaining quarters were AU or Unc. coins that were either bagged by PCGS for a light cleaning, or else they were common dates in AU58 that he did not bother submitting. The 1896-S, 1901-S, and 1913-S were all lightly cleaned AU coins. A lightly cleaned AU 1901-S is still a heck of a coin, though. I recall that the 1909-o was a PCGS MS61 that looked like an MS63 to me. I just did not have the money to buy this set, having drained my coin budget on the Bust and Seated quarters, so it ended up going to another friend of his. At least they were not all killer toned coins- most were white or nearly so. It would have killed me if they were all toned like the 1867 proof shown below. It's still painful to pass up a high-grade set of Barber quarters that was off the market since at least 1960. Anyway, it looks like I will have to build my own set of Barber quarters from scratch as funds become available. No cheating allowed on this series.

Broadstruck · March 17, 2009 2:10AM

MFH · November 8, 2009 8:36AM

Ron... its been quite a few months since you posted any Barber Quarters.

What've you been up to ?

AUandAG · November 8, 2009 11:30AM

15s is the 55

bob

Edited: Yep already answered this post way back in March. But still have the same answer.
At least I'm consistent!

rhedden · November 8, 2009 11:54AM

Haven't bought a single barber quarter since. I'm under intense international pressure to sell the '14-D, but won't cave!

Started a new set today: Barber Quarters

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