Barber Half Dollars Skyrocket

For what it is worth,

The is the best Barber Half that I own.
Well, not own, but rather I am the current custodian.
It came to me from my Great Aunt.







These are HARD to find, no question about it.
One reason why I decided not to specialize in Barber halves.

"Barber series of coin from what I have read we used. Most didnt just sit in the sock drawer."

How TRUE, Captain!
From 1892 to at least 1950, they were and abused.
The halves, because they had real value, could not sit in a sock drawer.

Dimes paid for a Trolley ride, a quarter bought a very decent lunch.
Even the lowly nickel was the price of a phone call.
No wonder so MANY are worn slick.

Those of we masochists who dream of putting together a complete set spend YEARS in the quest. And when we at last find a nice example, we DO NOT use the Greysheet.
We buy, because we know that years may pass before we find another.

I would think not much money on Barber halves in top condition would need to be spent.

not because of the prices per coin to be paid,

but because really nice ones are so hard to come by.

Barber halves (quarters and dimes also) in higher grades have been priced at higher levels for many years. The AG-Good ones sell for barely over melt. I don't think I have a single Barber half above VG, and you rarely see them. I have one Barber quarter in AU and 3 dimes in Au-Unc. All of these were bought about 30 years ago and I paid a about the same price then that they are selling for now. It is true that if this series were collected as much as the Walkers the prices would be triple. I don't expect this to happen.

epikur:

That 1909 O quarter is a VERY scarce piece.

I have looked for one in that grade for years, and no go.

Treasure it.

As for the discussion, there was a quote above about values increasing, with a little bit of increase in collectors/interest.

I have said that for years.

They still have a long way to go!

Look at the 3 quarter keys.

The 1896 S and 1913 S are way undervalued, and I try to grab everyone that I see that is no problem.

What to see scarce?
Go for a set of Barber dimes or quarters in AU!

They can be as tough as the half dollars in the same grade, for some dates that is.

good luck all.

epikur, if that coin can make it in PCGS plastic, which it looks like it could, it could bring around 600-800 dollars at an auction. A good friend of mine recently ponied up 600 for a VF25 in PCGS plastic at a recent auction. That coin looks like VF30 to me maybe 35.

Hey guys - I've been following this thread because, in the past, I collected the Barber Series; although, I was never hooked on the series. When I complete a set, I, eventually, begin on the previous series, and try to complete it.
My Barbers consist of a completed set of half dollars, a completed set of dimes, and a near complete set of quarters (missing the big three - '96S, '01S, '13S - I don't expect to get those three anytime soon) - gotta tell you though - every coin in my Barber sets are in the G-VG grade range - not too difficult, nor expensive to complete them in the lower grades.