The Unofficial Barber Proof Thread
P0CKETCHANGE
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This thread is for all things related to Proof Barbers: discussion, show-and-tell, auction results, etc., focusing on the dimes, quarters, and half dollars (sorry, no Liberty nickels).
Minted annually from 1892-1915, mintages range from a very low 380 coins to 1,245 coins (all three denominations during the first year of issue). The dimes include the famous 1894-S branch mint proof, as well as the overdate 1893/2.
Cameo and deep cameo examples add intrigue, and are scarce to rare depending on the year. Coins come from super original and colorful, to blast white with deep black mirrors. Almost all are sharply struck and make superb type coins.
I started this thread just to have a central place to appreciate these beautiful relics of late 19th and early 20th century history. Feel free to jump in and share your coins, thoughts and observations, or just follow along.
It's fitting to start with my first Proof Barber acquisition, this 1914 PR63 CAC quarter which I bought as my type set example back in 2019. I was amazed by the very low mintage of 380 coins, and the intriguing textile toning on the obverse. 
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Comments
This is going to be a great thread!
By the way, I really like your opening post.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@Eldorado9
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ANA LM, LSCC, EAC, FUN
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@Tom_B that's a beauty! That rich toning must be spellbinding in-hand. 1915 is my second favorite year—last year of proof issue, and second lowest mintage (450).
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Love the toning on that one pocket change, I like
I have focused on proof and SMS halves from 1936-1970; however at some point in time I will expand my collecting efforts to include proof Barber and Seated Liberty halves.
Looking forward to seeing threadd develop.
A handful of all-time favorites....PS Love to see more from everybody here...They are such great coins.
Pf-67+ Cam, cac
Pf-68, cac
Pf-67+, cac
Pf-67+, cac
Pf-66+ DCam, cac
Pf-67+ Cam Simpson
Pf-67+, cac
Pf-67+ Cam, CACG
Pf-68 DCam, cac Black Cat
Here's my best dime:
Pf-68 Cam, cac
I have none of my own to offer. I do love this era of Proof coinage.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
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I bought this out of an on-line Heritage Auction not knowing how nice it would be in hand. The coin picture in the catalogue was dark and It was only a PF66 CAC.
But it still takes my breath away every time I look at it.
There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who do not.
Incredible spread of great coins and holders. This one is my favorite of the bunch. Wow!
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Lovely Barbers! Some of the ex Hansen pieces are on the market and quite nice as well.
Here are a few of mine. Love these coins, but I stopped buying them because they haven't proven to be very good investments over the years. Anyone else feel that way?
@DarkStar you have my mailing address! Just tell me how much to make the check out for. Thank you, buddy!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
We need some more love for these coins!
This one was discussed for a bit on these boards when it sold through GC. The GC image is included below. If I recall correctly few liked the coin from the images. I had expected the coin to be less splotchy in its toning than the GC images and i was correct, but in this case I was surprised by how much the GC images differed from the coin in-hand.
I expect that the coin went to NGC as a white example and I also strongly suspect that the toning on it now is from the paper insert in the NGC 3.0 holder. My opinion is that the mirror surfaces really made the toning on the coin pop, weather that be "pop" in a good way or a bad way is up to the person viewing the coin, but in-hand it has a much more nuanced look to it. I like the coin a lot and I paid a little premium, no doubt, for the fact that it is in an NGC 3.0 holder.
I realize this will not be a well loved coin in this thread.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Don't do this to me... I just started to fall for Barber Quarters & Halves... I don't own a proof yet
!
Attempt #2 succeeds! My favorite Barber, and probably the obverse was dipped at one time.
https://d1htnxwo4o0jhw.cloudfront.net/pcgs/cert/48417875/271742855.jpg
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
Tom, I'm pretty sure I called your 1913 quarter "splotchy" in another thread. In hindsight, and looking at the photos again, I must say I still fully agree with that assessment
The gold-embossed NGC holder is sweet though.
But you raise a notable point about these coins: by their nature as proofs, it is very challenging to capture the essence of the coin's in-hand appearance, even with one of the best numismatic photographers behind the camera. Toned examples are even tougher, and made tougher still if being shot through the slab.
My 1905 (below) is splotchy, and I have no doubt some would say unkind things about it. These photos were taken in succession under two different lighting setups by another highly skilled coin photographer, yet they look like totally different coins. And still, I hesitate to say that either truly demonstrates the in-hand mirrored appearance. It's in a PCGS OGH 3.1 with a bean, so it'll never be cracked out for a raw photo.
Collectors of these coins have to work around significant photographic limitations, train their eye to interpret internet photos, and accept the risks that the distribution of actual in-hand appearance is often much wider than with business strikes.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Key word: yet! Can't wait to see your first one
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
I love this dark and stormy look on a classic proof, screaming with originality
A particularly spectacular 1901 Half in PF-67+ Cam. Photo by @FlyingAl One of the best shots of a toned proof Barber I've ever seen.
For anybody that has tried to assemble a Gem or above set of the halves, you know how tough the 1902 is. I searched for years for a good one. This one came from DLRC, and was an Ex Hansen coin...I think it is fabulous. PF-67+ Cam CACG. Photos by @flyingal of course.
FANTASTIC! The coin and the photo both.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Coin Photography