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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,103 |
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
Does this 1905 Barber half dollar look OK? It weighs 12.1g, is about 1.65mm thick, and has a diameter of 30.5mm. From these specs it seems like it would be OK. However, when I placed this on my friend's Sigma, it did not register as silver. It was way off the scale.) An earlier dated Barber half dollar showed up as just fine. Can you tell anything from just looking at the coin? I am a relative beginner to coin collecting, so I could use input from forum members on this. Thanks.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1257 Posts |
It looks genuine to me however let one of the experts chime in - they'll be along shortly I'm sure.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
94367 Posts |
Sure looks good to me, though cleaned.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
I see no reason to doubt that it's genuine. I can't explain the Sigma results so make sure you're using it correctly.
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Valued Member
 United States
68 Posts |
I've compared the three Barber half dollars I have side by side and don't see any really difference, other than from wear. The Barber passed the magnet test too. I'm pretty sure it's real. I'll retest tomorrow and post my findings. Edited by Aurelius
10/24/2023 01:56 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
13696 Posts |
Appears to be genuine to my eye although badly cleaned. You do realize that this is a San Francisco minted coin, right?
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time. |
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Moderator
United States
54172 Posts |
Quote:
I placed this on my friend's Sigma, it did not register as silver. It was way off the scale That's concerning for a judgement of genuine.
Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1334 Posts |
Looks genuine, but harshly cleaned.
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
OK, I met my buddy at Starbucks this morning and he bright his Sigma along. I'm not sure what the difference in composition is between pre 1900 and 1900-1945 silver, but when the pre 1900 silver setting was used the Barber came up as being silver.
With the coin's visuals, weight, thickness, diameter, and Sigma all looking right, I'm sure this coin is real.
Yes, it does looked cleaned. Is there something special about this being from the San Francisco Mint?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1334 Posts |
Quote:
Is there something special about this being from the San Francisco Mint? No. The this one is a Fine Details coin. Worth maybe $20-30 in this condition.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
I've seen that "pre 1900 silver" Sigma thing posted in images and have also wondered what the heck it means. For example with the Barber halves there is no difference in composition from 1892 thru 1916. As far as I know there was no change in composition moving to Walking Liberty or Franklin halves either - they're all 90% silver 10% copper and weigh 12.5g. So what is "1900-1945 silver" supposed to be? I don't see anything special about 1945 either. F Details sounds about right. Edited by kbbpll
10/24/2023 5:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1257 Posts |
I'm sure it has something to do with impurities in the alloys.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4703 Posts |
What DOCC said. One of the labs I worked in had machines for analyzing solder joints and other tiny metal structures, and some had pre-sets for specific materials vendors. There are some really quirky ways that even tiny amounts of certain metals will alter the frequency response of otherwise identical alloys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4703 Posts |
https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...d=rss_sd_allAccording to that abstract, pre-1900 silver coins contained more lead. Which is not surprising, as those metals are often found in the same areas. At least, in the western United States. If memory serves correct, a lot of silver is recovered as a byproduct of refining lead ores like galena, and from the ores of other metals.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Genuinie coin, if not that appealiing.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
33743 Posts |
Genuine coin, just harshly cleaned.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,103 |
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Posted 10/23/2023 10:20 pm
