1899 Barber Half Dollar W/ O Mint - Send For Grading?

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Good evening. I found this coin on a farm that has been in my family for 5 generations. I would like to know your thoughts on whether I should send it for grading. It appears to be in beautiful condition but I am not an expert. I would appreciate your opinions on grade and approximate value although I have no intention of selling this heirloom item. It is quite possible my Great Grandfather or Grandmother lost this coin while enjoying the shade of a small tree that is much older and larger now.

Thank you all in advance.

Found where? It doesn't exactly look like its been in the ground.

Since it looks cleaned id say maybe $80 raw, but thats a guess really.

I found this on edge at 12 inches while metal detecting. Other than wiping the dirt off this is how it came out of the ground.

Here are some better pictures with improved lighting

That's an awesome find. If you are not going to sell it the only reason I can see to get it graded is if you wanted it to be slabbed. I personally would put it in an airtight.

As for a grade vf35 maybe.

VF, cleaned, but still a nice find!

And .....

...... to the Community!

Edited by westernsky
09/21/2019 03:47 am

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Excellent find . I agree to VF-35 A $150- $200 coin retail , not harshly cleaned .

VF-35 sounds right, but I can't get a good handle on whether it's been cleaned.

to the CCF!

I agree with the others. put it in an airtight and enjoy it. although the coin is VF it does not warrant slabbing and will most likely come back as a details coin. this means its either been cleaned or environmental damage from being in the ground. the original surfaces have been removed from being buried over the years. cool find

VF-35, hard to tell from these photos if it was cleaned.

Quote:
I found this on edge at 12 inches while metal detecting. Other than wiping the dirt off this is how it came out of the ground.

How'd you get the dirt off?

It came out of the ground very clean. I spit on it and rub with my thumb in the field. When I got to the house I used a soft damp towel and lightly brushed.

Quote:
I spit on it and rub with my thumb in the field

So whey you rub dirt off, In any way, you are pushing those dirt particles up against the coin in order to get them to move. There is sand in most dirt, which can contain particles that are harder than the coin.

So how should I get debris off the coin?

Quote:
So how should I get debris off the coin?

I don't think I can give you a good answer on that. My apologies. If you mean just to look at the date, you might be ok gently rinsing it with water.

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