Are Half Dollars the Ideal Collector Denomination? Barber Half NP
Catbert
Posts: 7,610 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've grown fond of the half dollar denomination. It's large enough to encompass the designer's design without being massive or miniature. It is easy to see the devices and luster (when present) can easily show reflectivity. As a slow going type collector, I'm drifting away from the smaller type having little interest in half dimes, three cent pieces, nickels, and dimes. They are the most gaping holes now in my collection.
I'm now considering changing to focus on a half dollar series. This Barber is a new piece and the other two halves are just to emphasize my interest.
Tell me about your ideal denomination, why that is so for you, and provide a pic to underscore your point of view! 
Seated Half Society member #38
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
21
Comments
As collectors get older and their eyesight diminishes, they generally move to larger diameter coins.
Yes, but.......answer the question!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
No, the Lincoln cent is still king!
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I like Silver Dollars.
[blush*]
No, only if they're large cents!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I always liked Quarters best.
"Tell me about your ideal denomination, why that is so for you, and provide a pic to underscore your point of view!
"
I'm learning that I ask too much!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I have been a half and large cent guy my whole life, although half dimes are the only coin I've never really collected.
Proof Washington quarters. Cheap, and they've got some serious eye appeal if you find the right one.
Like you @Catbert I find the Half Dollar a perfect balance of size for design elements to be appreciated with the naked eye, and yet not too big.
And 50c has always meant something, even today (although that is fading fast).
Here's a really old picture (taken in 2004). I still own everything shown.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Well I do like large cents too.
. But to answer your challenge, cents be it large, small or half will always be my favorites. So many types and colors to choose from how could you go wrong. A collage to prove my point.
BTW that is a very nice Barber half!
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I have the full set of raw Barber halves in a Dansco but personally felt more sense of accomplishment while acquiring the slabbed Trade dollars and completing the Lincoln cents collection because it took almost four decades (started the collection in childhood from pocket change and left it on the backburner for a very long time till having enough money to buy the key dates).
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
The ideal denomination has to be half dimes:
no silly modern mint issues like those never ending quarters
I agree with the OP. The size is perfect and I see no logical reason they shouldn't still circulate widely in commerce. I do get a tad weary of the 937 decades of the Seated half series though. A single type coin was good enough for me.
Since it's the key of a 20th Century Type set, I always hoped to own a really nice Barber Half. I was lucky enough to get this right before things took off.
Your question is non-denominal. There are coins in almost every denomination that have caused me to take a deep breath. Sometimes the metallurgy and strike just come together. I really do not mind grabbing a loop when I need some help. It just adds to the drama. You are asking me to pick which of my kids I like more. :-)
I’m a dollar guy- I like big coins and I will not lie….
I wanted to like (the coins) ... and
at this comment!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I have collections from 1892 thru present in Capital Holders. Earlier half dollars are certified examples.
Like the size and the history. Great to collect.
I also like the larger coins- large cents, half cents, half dollars, silver dollars and the ten and twenty dollar gold pieces. The OP’s three half dollar coins are beautiful and anyone would be happy to own them. My issue with Barber halves is very few look like that 1901; compiling an entire set with matching toning/eye appeal would be challenging, to say the least.
Amazing toning on that Peace dollar. In over 50 years of collecting, I have never seen a Peace dollar more attractive in person. It’s been my experience they just don’t come that way. The coins sold recently for what I consider a very strong price, and worth every penny.
I love halves, but my passion, like @coinbuf, is the Lincoln series followed by the large cents.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Thank you- I picked it up in a Legend auction along with this one which even has CAC approval
Always liked smaller coins, especially half dimes.
Collector
91 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 56 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
Always loved the half dollar denomination.
They got me into type, which then got me into large cents.
I’ve built other collections along the way, but walkers, half dollar type, and large cents are my passions.
I love copper and don't have the resources for large cents so it's large copper for me....
I did collect half dollars, especially early date Walkers, until I ran out of money. Now I collect dimes.
As fellow Las Vegan Liberace said, to each his own. Something visceral about Morgans for me.
I sort of like half dollars the best these days, but I liked smaller demoninations before my cataract operations made me go from extremely near sighted to far sighted 🤔
Mr_Spud
Did someone say half dollars? They are my favorite denomination but I can't say no to other nice looking coins in other denominations.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
I really like my bust halves, but there is something about the heft of the silver dollar, and the designs.
I like silver half dollars, silver dollars and large gold coins. First sets I built were Franklins, Kennedy's, and CC Morgans. And stacks of AGE's. Cheers, RickO
I started collecting early half dollars because they were a third of the price of early dollars. As I got into the series, I found half dollars are more interesting. Also collected dimes as a kid and then forty years later - couldn't stay away from them! I like the seated liberty along with all of the half dollar design types.
There was a time when half dollars and $10 eagles were about the same diameter, and some reverse master dies were used for both denominations, although working dies were different for halves and tens:
Yes, the halves are good for aging eyes!
Half dollars baby! That’s what gets me going!
Half Dollars all the way! Yes, they are the best.
I would send this one in for a re-grade.
What a beautiful early ten. I love that kind of original toning.
Never mind , thinking of “I like big bu**s” by sir mix a lot!
I am pretty inter-denominational, but I guess I have more halves than any other. All 20th century issues so far.
Half dollars are one of my favorites, i saw the holder on eBay and had to get it.
That was the reference I was going for-I just screwed up the lyrics a little- corrected below:
“I like big coins and I cannot lie, you other brothers can’t deny”
What can I say- the 80s and 90s were my formative years
You've 'regressed' to Three Cent Silvers?
I've taken the usual route for collectors since childhood - from dimes to nothing smaller than a half dollar over 55 years time.
I have a friend who worked on the biology of small fish. His father had the impression one starts out with small fish and advances to larger species. His dad was always asking when he would be graduate and be allowed to work on gamefish.