Barber Coin observation and question (?)
DieClash
Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭
I have had the opportunity to amass a near complete collection of Barber Quarters and all but one Barber Half. All the coins are in AG - VG condition, most would grade G [net]. What I have observed is that many of the coins I possess and a majority of the coins in the same grade-range on eBay have been harshly cleaned in the past with what I would say steel wool, or a an abrasive rotary grinder.
Here's an example of one on eBay: Linky
I understand that Barber Halves and Quarters were the workhorses in commerce during their era of circulation. But can you explain why so many low-grade coins appear to have been whizzed (mostly in the distant past)?
Cheers!
Here's an example of one on eBay: Linky
I understand that Barber Halves and Quarters were the workhorses in commerce during their era of circulation. But can you explain why so many low-grade coins appear to have been whizzed (mostly in the distant past)?
Cheers!
"Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
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In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
And yes finding coins that are not messed with you difficult to say the least.....
People want clean and shiny coins I would say that is a major reason.....
If you have nice original coins be happy.....
<< <i>Coins like you have linked have not been whizzed. They have simply been worn to a near cull with almost completely flat surfaces and this means that anytime they slide along a hard surface, bang against other coins or are otherwise slightly injured that they gain light scratches across their surfaces. >>
Just when I thought I had a good idea of what a whizzed coin looks like, you go blowin' up my comfort level!
I've been collecting since 1969 as a 6-year old kid. I've got a modest library of books and I've learned a mountain of info. here.
I know that you're a knowlegeable numismatist from your posts here and ATS. What I'd like to learn is how can you tell the difference between whizzed surfaces and the worn surfaces that I linked to?
When I see a bunch of lines passing thru the fields and devices all at the same angle, I think of whizzed coin. Like the one I linked to in the original thread. I would expect that wear would be more random and not display the one-directional abrading that I detect in the linked image.
What say you (all) ?
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
Some of that stuff is still in the junk bins, "circulating" back and forth in trays, across counters, in tubes, bags, etc. The better dates aren't there anymore, but they were 15 to 20 years ago. Heck the common ones where still in face value bags then, and some buyers would get pissed cause they where "underweight". Doesn't take much to scratch up something, even leaving parralel lines, when there is no rim or device relief to protect it.
“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
As Tom mentioned - coins in that stage of wear are not whizzed
as noone would ever be fooled thinking there was luster on a Fair 2
coin. Circulation marks going in the same direction could be mistaken
for whizzing - but in the sample shown - was not.
Sorry, I don't have an image of a whizzed Barber.
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Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
Believe it or not, you can leave lines like that by rubbing the surface of a coin with a paper towel, or a cloth.
Dave