Having fun with PCGS Population Reports - (Barber Halves)

LogPotato

I know Population Reports are not the end all be all of determining the scarcity of a coin but I thought it would be fun to bring the Population data to light. We all know, there are F coins in VF holders and XF coins in VF holders and so on. I figured if I am paying for Pop Reports, I might as well put them to some use! I would love to hear how the coins listed compare to Barber Half collectors' feeling of which coins are scarce for the given grade.

On to the data, I broke out the reports as VF, XF, AU, & even MS for fun. I then put them in order from least amount of coins graded to the most. Of course, your comments, questions, accusations, & rebuttals are welcome. The top 15 (or lowest number graded) in each category are as follows:



VF20-VF35
1906-S
1893
1892-O
1894
1892
1895-S
1905-O
1900-S
1913-D
1893-O
1905
1908
1897
1903
1907-S

XF40-XF45
1906-S
1905
1905-O
1911-S
1895-S
1897-O
1910
1893-S
1901-O
1896-S
1895-O
1904-O
1909-S
1911-D
1894

AU50-AU58
1897-O
1901-O
1904-O
1896-O
1903-S
1913-S
1896-S
1897-S
1898-O
1911-S
1905-O
1902-S
1904-S
1908-S
1901-S

MS60-MS70
1896-O
1901-O
1904-S
1901-S
1900-O
1898-S
1902-O
1902-S
1904-O
1897-O
1905-S
1897-S
1907-S
1909-O
1908-S

Enjoy!

Walkerguy21D

Interesting Justin - thanks for doing the work and sharing with us.
Of course seeing actual numbers would be even better
I guess I'm surprised at seeing the 06S at the top of the heap (fewest) in the circ (sub AU) grades.....and the vaunted 04S is nowhere to be seen in the circ lists. Maybe it's notoriety caused more to be submitted.

LogPotato

I would have posted the numbers, but I didn't ask for permission to and I didn't want to get a lawsuit.

LogPotato

Anyone else? I found the 06-S interesting as well, Greg. I guess that's why you don't see many at slab auctions in VF.

AUandAG

As a non barber collector what do these lists tell me?

Most common graded the most?
Most scarce graded the most or least?

Without seeing mintage figures I cannot make sense of this effort.

bob

LogPotato

<< <i>As a non barber collector what do these lists tell me?

Most common graded the most?
Most scarce graded the most or least?

Without seeing mintage figures I cannot make sense of this effort.

bob >>



That's OK , Bob, in this series you find that mintage figures mean little. The highest Pop coin with 1200 plus graded (800 in MS), is a sub-million mintage coin. .

LindeDad

<< <i>That's OK , Bob, in this series you find that mintage figures mean little. The highest Pop coin with 1200 plus graded (800 in MS), is a sub-million mintage coin. . >>



This is true is several other series as in some cases key date extra value and the fear of counterfeiting lead more of them to be graded.

MFH

Very interesting and thanks for putting this together for us.
As I am mostly a mid range collector, I found the lower three
grade brackets very well on the mark. I have a running interest
in the Mint State bracket, and I have to agree that the toughest
coins are the ones listed as well.

I am on vacation and don't have my inventory spreadsheets with
me, but many of the coins on your list are extremely difficult to
obtain in each grade bracket. Maybe that's why they made the list ?

AUandAG

Hmmmm, I'll stick with my CC's!

bob

barberkeys

Justin - I like your data, as it points out a few sleepers to keep an eye out for. It also gives an idea what items are somewhat overpriced or under-priced.

------------
Vern