Barber Half Branch Mint Proofs

LogPotato

First off, forgive me if this topic has been exhausted before. I haven't been collecting for very long so I have missed out on a few things.

Reading through David Lawrence's Guide to Barber Halves, it mentions Breen attributed three branch mint proofs. 95-O, 00-S, & 06-D. Have these coins disappeared since 1991? Have they reappeared in auctions in the past 21 years? Have they been certified by any TPG? I think a Branch mint proof would be a treat to see.

Thanks for any info and again sorry if this info has been proven inaccurate since 1991.

Julian

Branch mint proofs are very controversial, as the services are extremely hesitant to certify them. PCGS almost needs a document or reason that they would have been struck.

Breen, on the other hand, often gave his opinion just based on the look and fabric of the coin.

They will always be controversial.

amwldcoin

I had a 92-O in a PCGS 64 Holder a bit over 10 years ago a dealer/friend talked me out of. If there was ever a proof branch mint barber this was it in my opinion. It would put any ultra cam deep mirror morgan dollar to shame with the black and white cameo contrast. I don't let him know it but I'm still peo'd at him as he was not supposed to sell it without asking me if I wanted it back.

shorecoll

err...ummm...I think maybe you just did!!!

firstmint

There's quite a few "O" mint Barber halves that are fully prooflike.

With that being said, check the strike and you will, in most cases, be able to determine that it was not fully struck, twice; and therefore not a BMP.

1906 was the first year of striking US coinage at the Denver Mint. There are several, complete, first strikes, and a few of these issues have been described as either "proof" or "specimen".

The coins do look very nice (and I'm thinking of the double eagle that has floated around for decades), but in my opinion (FWIW) they are only first strike examples to show production at the newest Mint facility.

This same situation happened in 1855 with the new "S" mint quarter, half, and threee dollar gold coins that were sent to W.W. Long in Philadelphia to display in his museum. These three "first struck" coins are all graded now as "proof".

LogPotato

Thanks for all the info!