1896-O 50C MS65 PCGS. CAC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Feb 14, 2008 for:

$37,375.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Wonderful Elusive Gem 1896-O Barber Half Dollar

1896-O 50C MS65 PCGS. CAC. David and John Feigenbaum, in their Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage, maintain that the Mint State 1896-O is second in rarity only to the 1904-S half, an issue well known among Barber collectors for its elusive nature. A glance at the NGC certified population actually shows fewer Mint State examples of the 1896-O than the 1904-S, and the PCGS data show a similar trend. Of course, such figures fall in the category of "statistics," as the 1904-S numbers are more likely to be inflated by multiple resubmissions.
This is a wonderful Gem of this tricky issue, with silver centers accented by a peripheral ring of amber-gold on each side. Close perusal with a loupe reveals only a couple of grade-consistent reeding marks on Liberty's neck. The strike is above-average on the obverse, but weakness shows on the reverse right shield corner and the nearby wing. The eagle's claw and fletchings are somewhat weak, but better-detailed than expected. If one is contemplating beginning a Mint State set of Barber halves, this is the place to begin. Population: 3 in 65, 3 finer (1/08).
From The Southwest Collection.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24LW, PCGS# 6475, Greysheet# 6586)

Weight: 12.50 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View all of [The Southwest Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS