Which Barber Dimes, Quarters and Half Dollars are Underpriced in Greysheet?

Rampage

Curious to know which dates and mint marks are underpriced in current price guides. I know the 1901S and 1904S half dollars are, but which other dates/MMs are and which denominations? Also, which grades? I think for the 01S and 04S in VG and lower, the price guides might be right, but in Fine and above they are way under.

Thanks, Richard.

dogwood

That all depends....are you a dealer or a collector

There are lots of really tough quarters but really only the '09-o is underpriced.
It doesn't matter how ridiculously tough it is to find a choice VF 05-o or 08-s quarter, there is honestly not an uber market premium on dates like that in this series.

The Halves are a different matter due to the series completion potential and bigger size.
Undervalued dates include the 93-s, 95-s, 96-o, 98-o, 01-o, 02-s, 04-o and 07-s.
These will bring often 50% above published values. There are examples of 2x book.
For the right look in the right grade in the right holder, the same holds true for almost any branch mint coin prior to 1906.

I know nothing about the dimes.

Rampage

<< <i>That all depends....are you a dealer or a collector >>



I am a collector. Working on my three sets (one of each denomination). I only need three half dollars to complete, but am also working on upgrades. For my quarters, I need 5, but am also working on upgrades. The dimes I need a bunch of, but thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks for the reply.

Richard.

Walkerguy21D

I doubt anyone will take the time to go into listing all the coins by grade, of these three series that they feel are underpriced, though I'm sure this thread will generate a lot of good opinions, some along the lines of 'all XF and AU halves', etc. Also, there are coins that are somewhat underpriced, and others that are grossly underpriced, etc....
What I would recommend (as I've done this myself), in addition to the inputs you get here, is to go to the Barber Collector Society website and review the rarity census ratings spreadsheets for all the various dates, by grade, for each denomination. You can also cross check this with the date by date analysis of the series in the David Lawrence books, which are also viewable on line.
For the halves in my opinion, R3 coins seem to be somewhat underpriced, R4 are probably moderately underpriced, and R5 coins are probably greatly underpriced. To add, I know I can sell original halves in VF and higher of just about ANY date at Ask or slightly higher all day long, with many of them going to knowledeable dealers.

And for my 'opinion' on one of the dimes, the 1909S looks to be under valued. DL rates as one of the toughest coins in higher circ grades, and I have come across two of them below Bid, that I sold quickly for well above Ask levels.
Good luck with your hunting!

stevendaniels

In all barber series, any coin F to Au is quite undervalued. Most barber halves in G-VG, I would say are overpriced.

rld14

I think that a lot of it depends on the coin, as far as the halves go some of them, particularly the tougher dates in the grades I collect, VF, you can throw the sheet out. Some later dates are plentiful and I wouldn't expect to pay multiples of sheet for, such as, oh, I dunno, the 12-D. For some reason I see those in VF all over the place.

I also collect Dimes, they don't seem to bring such stupid premiums that the halves do, but I will say this, from watching eBay (Where this whole "F-XF Barbers are worth more than Saints" mentality seems to be coming from lately) that there's really at best 5 or so different bidders fighting over the same coins, some trickier dates have all of a sudden come back down to reality. Granted, Reality for, say, a 1910-P in VF30 isn't ask.

rld14

I should clarify... it seems like actually getting these guys into holders, PCGS ones, is what brings the big premiums. There's good reason for this, Baerber Halves with VF details are tough enough as it is, like people say, they are condition rarities in VF-XF. On top of that, most of the raw coins that you see will have all kinds of problems, true original problem free coins that can make it into a PCGS holder are genuinely rare.

Rampage

Thank you all for the replies. I was not rerally looking for a date by date or grade by grade analysis Walker Guy, just more of a this and that type thing. The toughest of the toughest I guess. But, thank you for the advice. I will check out the webpages.

SamByrd

try to buy barber quarters and halfs in full fine or better with no damage, one has to leave grey sheet at home there is very little to buy at that price level. Even common dates, take a good look at the next show there is not a lot of inventory and prices are strong for nice examples. Market graded and borderline slabs are available but even those are priced strong.

barbershopper

<< <i>In all barber series, any coin F to Au is quite undervalued. Most barber halves in G-VG, I would say are overpriced. >>



Agreed. Of course, some more than others but too many to list here.

JT

PonyExpress8

Fine through AU original Barber coinage is very difficult to locate as a dealer anywhere. For every 100 coins you look at you may find 1 that is original enough to be worthwhile grading. Then of course it has to be a date with enough value to make grading it economical as well.

The larger the denomination the more graysheet is off in Barbers. This I believe stems in part that people could afford to set aside an occasional dime or Liberty Nickel (also a Barber designed coin), which results in a few more higher grade circulated coins available while quarters and halves bought too much and didn't get saved.

Graysheet is off on a lot of other things more then ever now too. Sometimes on the downside while in other areas the opposite. I would love to buy all the early S mint silver coins at sheet as one example. And sell them for a grade or two higher.

Don't offer me 1921-S Morgans at sheet of $1175 or even 20% back though when they are selling with juice on Heritage for $575 to $690.

There are about 20 to 25 of the halves grossly undervalued, and about 16-18 quarters. I would love to find these coins.

dogwood

Add the 05-o Half to that list. A PCGS Fine 15 just hammered on ebay for $416. It books for $125 in Fine 12.
It's a good one to have, I've always liked that date, and here is one of those examples of market forces vs. price guide.
MS are easier to find than mid-grade circs and that dampening effect from the top should logically keep lower grade prices down.
Maybe not.

USAFRETWI

I've been looking for an 05-O for months, I'm sure I paid too much but it is hard date to come by.

MFH

I was tracking that 1905-O in PCGS 15 and was amazed at the result.

Last week, Teletrade had a 1905-O - PCGS 30 - sell for $210.00
Image below:


All it takes is two bidders who are after the same coin.
[BTW, I forgot about the Teletrade coin - and if I had
started to bid on it, I'm sure it would have closed at a
higher figure; I'm sure the winner at Teletrade had a
higher MAX bid already in place. ]

USAFRETWI

MFH, you're not making me feel better about the purchase...lol. I can't complain I've bought some nice VF's at a good price.

MFH

<< <i>MFH, you're not making me feel better about the purchase...lol. I can't complain I've bought some nice VF's at a good price. >>



Never meant to - I was just pointing out that all it takes is two bidders to bump the price up.

That VF 30 would NEVER have sold at $210 if I got into the fray... and especially if
I notified a few other collectors who wanted the 05-O even more than you did. I was keeping
the sale quiet so I wouldn't face severe bidding competition - and I let the auction slide inadvertantly.

The 1905-O in VF is missing from the Red Stick collection on the PCGS Registry.

DrPete

Check out the MS 64 and MS 65 prices of the 1896-O barber half. This coin in MS 64 is truly a $10K coin, but in MS 65 is $30K. The grey sheet lists them a mere $500 apart. However, if you could find an unaware dealer that had a nice MS 65 coin (good luck, they are VERY hard to find) you might be able to pick it up at a bargain price. Check out the Heritage auction realized prices if you want to see what a real MS 65 or 66 sells for.

Agree about the other points made above. The 05-O in original F to VF just is about as tough as it gets. That makes the hunt fun, though.

MFH

Dr Pete - The only way I'd find an 1896-O in MS 65 - would be
from only a handful of dealers - and the price would be very
close to recent auction bids.

I'm still scratching my head [ years later, too ] about loosing
out of that 1896-O in PCGS 58 - especially after I really " s t r e t c h e d "
to get that coin - and the MS 64 coin sold for a couple of grand more.

I'd be thrilled to pay $10K for a MS 64 in a PCGS holder !!

bushmaster8

I think ALL the branch mints from 1905 are underrated. (edit: Halves)

MFH

<< <i>I think ALL the branch mints from 1905 are underrated. (edit: Halves) >>



I would say ALL Halves of 1905 are underrated. P - O - S

Craig Peterson had a s.o.b. of a time locating a Phila. in XF 45
I had a s.o.b. of a time locating a New Orleans AU 58 ...
and just upgraded my San Francisco to an AU 58.

Everyone has had problems with the O mint coin -
regardless of grade - although MS coins are available once in awhile.

MFH

<< <i>Add the 05-o Half to that list. A PCGS Fine 15 just hammered on ebay for $416. It books for $125 in Fine 12.
It's a good one to have, I've always liked that date, and here is one of those examples of market forces vs. price guide.
MS are easier to find than mid-grade circs and that dampening effect from the top should logically keep lower grade prices down.
Maybe not. >>



Dogwood - when did you buy the raw 05-O off of PonyExpress8 - before or after the eBay sale ?

rld14

Mike,

I got lucky and Larry found me a nice 05-O early on, I just added an 05-P to my VF set and that's been a VERY tough coin for me to find.

What I am having a heck of a time with is the 07-S

dogwood

<< <i>

<< <i>Add the 05-o Half to that list. A PCGS Fine 15 just hammered on ebay for $416. It books for $125 in Fine 12.
It's a good one to have, I've always liked that date, and here is one of those examples of market forces vs. price guide.
MS are easier to find than mid-grade circs and that dampening effect from the top should logically keep lower grade prices down.
Maybe not. >>



Dogwood - when did you buy the raw 05-O off of PonyExpress8 - before or after the eBay sale ? >>




I was watching the 15 before the show but bought mine on Thursday. At that point I think the 15 had not yet been bid up to what I paid. I figured it would bring about $250 so mine was a no brainer.
It bears repeating about the mint state pops on this issue. Someone saved some rolls. If they hadn't and MS coins were held back as random individuals, this may have been the key across the board. I'm convinced there are more mid grade 04-s than 05-o in existance.

rld14

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Add the 05-o Half to that list. A PCGS Fine 15 just hammered on ebay for $416. It books for $125 in Fine 12.
It's a good one to have, I've always liked that date, and here is one of those examples of market forces vs. price guide.
MS are easier to find than mid-grade circs and that dampening effect from the top should logically keep lower grade prices down.
Maybe not. >>



Dogwood - when did you buy the raw 05-O off of PonyExpress8 - before or after the eBay sale ? >>




I was watching the 15 before the show but bought mine on Thursday. At that point I think the 15 had not yet been bid up to what I paid. I figured it would bring about $250 so mine was a no brainer.
It bears repeating about the mint state pops on this issue. Someone saved some rolls. If they hadn't and MS coins were held back as random individuals, this may have been the key across the board. I'm convinced there are more mid grade 04-s than 05-o in existance. >>



Mid Grade 04-Ss aren't actually as tough as people seem to think, they're kind of like the 16-D Mercury Dime or 09-SVDB of the series from what I can tell, expensive but there always seems to be a couple out there for sale.

Last I checked there were 2-3 on eBay in VF and a couple in F. Granted prices were insane.... but.... IMO an 05-O is a much tougher coin. I think that I totally lucked into mine.