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Sale 80
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Lot 815
1905-S. PCGS graded MS-67. Well struck and mostly untoned. This S-mint Barber Half is similar in overall and high-grade rarity to the Philippine Hoard dates of 1898-S, 1899-S and 1900-S. Whereas one should have little difficulty locating a well-worn example, survivors that grade at or above Choice AU are only offered at widely spaced intervals both at large conventions and in national auctions. It would have been significant enough had the present example graded merely Gem BU 65. We have the opportunity to offer a particularly tantalizing treat for Barber coinage connoisseurs among our bidders since this piece enjoys Superb-quality surfaces. There are no distracting abrasions on either side. The reverse is actually overall smooth and seemingly not all that far from perfection. Well struck throughout, there is also a full endowment of free-flowing frosted luster that clearly enhances an already pleasing technical quality. It is in the area of visual impact, however, where this coin really advances to the forefront. Both sides are mainly silvery in color. A true wonder coin among Barber Halves, and a Superb Gem that is fully justified in the 67 rating for overall standard-setting and eye appeal. Pop 3; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 6503) .
Historic Note: Barber Halves were minted from 1892 to 1915. Barber halves largely went into circulation and stayed there, and most of the dates are available mainly in low grades, although at the time the new Standing Liberty design for 1916 was being considered, word from the Treasury Secretary was that half dollar use fell far behind the more workhouse daily coin, the quarter dollar. And that Barber Half Mintage had declined in the years leading up to 1916 for this reason. Bear in mind, too, that until the 1930s, there were very few coin collectors in the United States who bought coins by date and mint. A collector would often be happy to settle for a representative from each years mintage, whether it be one taken from a banker’s till or a Proof bought at the Mint. For this reason, we are unsurprised that there are so few superb 1905-S Half Dollars in the PCGS census. They simply were not saved at the time of issue. Hoarding by rolls and bags and such only became common in the 1930s and later.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
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| Realized $18,213 |
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