prices on PCGS graded Barber Halfs

route66 · April 11, 2008 8:12AM

Are the PCGS prices generally pretty close for barber halfs in PCGS grades of VF and XF. Or are some close and others not? Thanks Steve

Barndog · April 11, 2008 8:17AM

I have a toned 94-O in AU-58. If I trust the guides at MS60 levels (CDN is around what, $380; and PCGS is around $575) then I am thoroughly confused too. I wish I knew the series like I know my own series

Cratylus · April 11, 2008 8:53AM

You can throw out the price guides on this series.

USMC_6115 · April 11, 2008 9:15AM

<< You can throw out the price guides on this series. >>

I agree...one example: A 1904-S in PCGS F12 just sold on Ebay for $900 - The PCGS Price guide has these at $350! The $900 may be high in my opinion, but $350 is retarded in today's market. I don't think you could get these for $350 two or three years ago.

Mercury10c · April 11, 2008 9:16AM

<< You can throw out the price guides on this series. >>

and any other series you can think of.

LindeDad · April 11, 2008 9:24AM

<< << You can throw out the price guides on this series. >> >>

<< and any other series you can think of. >>

at least for the half dollars IMO.

dogwood · April 11, 2008 9:35AM

There are about 20 coins in the series in those grades which, if accurately graded by PCGS, and of superior eye appeal, will do 20% to 50% better than the guide without hesitation. The remaining "common dates" under those same parameters would bring book +, if exceptionally original and strong for the grade. Most of these coins have pops in VF and XF of 5 to 12 coins for each grade, and the toughest ones 0 to 5. Although I daresay that if a wholesome PCGS XF40 1901-s were offered today for 1100 there would be 4 buyers even with a pop of 9 and a guide price of 750 in that grade.

Cratylus · April 11, 2008 11:32AM

<< Although I daresay that if a wholesome PCGS XF40 1901-s were offered today for 1100 there would be 4 buyers even with a pop of 9 and a guide price of 750 in that grade. >>

I would buy IMMEDIATELY at that price.

route66 · April 12, 2008 12:11AM

so what we are saying is if most Barber halfs have good eye appeal the PCGS price guide is pretty close in VF and XF?

doh · April 12, 2008 12:17AM

<< so what we are saying is if most Barber halfs have good eye appeal the PCGS price guide is pretty close in VF and XF >>

No, not at all. Any better date will bring 20 - 100% more than PCGS Price guide. 01-S, 04-S, 97-O, etc, the price guide just isn't close. Perhaps on some of the more common issues it is, but even then the price guide is a bit low.

newbarberguy · April 26, 2008 9:38PM

I'm a mid-grade Barber Halve collector (specifically XF-45's) and last fall did my own study of sold Barber Halves from Heritage, Teletrade, Stack's and David Lawrence. I found that for common dates (R1/R2), you can generally buy for listed retail value (not grey sheet). However, if it has excellent eye appeal, you may wind up paying 10-15% more. Grey sheets might as well be thrown out for mid-grade Barber Halves...unless you're a dealer looking for a good buy. If you're a savvy collector you'll soon realize grey sheets have no application in the retail Barber Halve retail market. In my own study I found that R3/R4 coins generally sold for 17-25% more than retail listings...for anything above R4, you're looking at a minimum of 50% above retail and for some coins such as the 04-S in XF-45, 100% or more in asking retail. Part of the problem with XF-45 coins is that PCGS eliminated the AU category for Barber Halves so for mid-grade price guides, you only have the XF-40 to MS-60 guidelines for comparison. To get an accurate price listing (if there is such a thing) you'll have to get a baseline from a source such as CoinValues or Coinmedia and then work from there...or do your own study from the major auction houses. You can also consult ebay but unless you have special privileges (I don't) you can only do your research for the past 90 days. Of course, there is such a thing as "mad money" where a desirable coin goes for much more than any of the priceguides when a couple of buyers are competing for the same coin. Rarity ratings are also somewhat of a misnomer. There are coins rated R1/R2 in XF-45 that just don't become available that often...and in my opinion, though they are priced less, are in reality rarer than some R4/R5's. I'm not the expert but these are just my observations...others may have different opinions. Good luck and happy hunting!
newbarberguy

291fifth · April 26, 2008 9:44PM

<< You can throw out the price guides on this series. >>

Only if you are buying.

If you are selling all you will hear is: "20 (or 30) under bid."

Walkerguy21D · April 26, 2008 10:24PM

<< If you are selling all you will hear is: "20 (or 30) under bid." >>

If you're lucky!
I'm not sure if this discussion is limited to PCGS cert'd coins only, but I shared this story on another thread the other day:
Thread topic: Another investor /collector taken to the cleaners
Anyway, the other side of the story that everyone is familiar with, is when someone unknowledgeable DOES have something good, but is offered peanuts for it. One of the dealers here (in FL) recently returned from a regional show in Tennessee, where he had bought a nearly complete set of Barber halves in VF- AU. Yes, some of the coins had been cleaned or had other minor problems, but this is a tough set anywhere. The fellow had inherited it from his father, who had told him it was valuable and keep it for a rainy day. The dealer paid $1900 for it, a 'steal', but the fellow said this was about DOUBLE the best offer he had gotten from any other dealer on the floor! Some offers were as low as $500. I bought 5 or 6 of these coins and posted the pics here and got kudos for nice coins, so they weren't junk.

Back to the topic at hand - with some luck and shopping you can find some nice barber halves at or around Greysheet. And it may depend on your locale, how many shows you attend, how many dealers you know, etc. But like any other series, know the tough ones and be prepared to 'pay up' when and if they come along. The easier coins can probably be found cheaper if you have patience. If money is of secondary consequence, and you are going to sit at home and shop retail dealers to build your set, you are going to pay retail+ prices for everything.

prices on PCGS graded Barber Halfs

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