1903 50C MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC....

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Exemplary 1903 Half, MS66
Tied for Finest at PCGS

1903 50C MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC. Ex: Duckor/Price. Faint die lines above and below the right wing appear to remain from clash marks on otherwise perfect obverse and reverse dies. The strike is bold, with a full hair band, hair details, stars, and leaves on the obverse. The reverse is similarly bold, with only a trace of weakness at the top of the right wing.
Both sides display incredible luster, with frosty mint brilliance beneath reddish-ivory surfaces. A frame of delicate green and gold toning along the borders enhances the excellent aesthetic desirability. A few trivial microscopic surface marks appear on each side.
Like many Philadelphia Mint issues, this date is a rarity in Premium Gem grade, as evidenced by just five MS66 PCGS examples with none finer. NGC has never graded a 1903 half dollar better than MS65. When all Mint State grades are considered, the 1903 is far scarcer than the 1903-O, and only marginally more plentiful than the 1903-S. the Duckor specimen is only the second time we have offered an MS66 1903 half dollar, following our sale of the Friend specimen in January 2009.
Commenting to the cataloger, Dr. Duckor wrote that his key to determining a great set of Barber half dollars is the quality of the subset of coins from 1900 to 1905. The top five sets that we have located, based on the 18 coins in that subset, are Duckor (average grade 66.9), Hugon (66.3), Friend (65.9), Shireman (65.8), and Eliasberg (65.6). Of course, the Eliasberg Collection had proofs for the P-mint issues, which lessens its overall desirability, but it was still a great collection. Only two of the 18 coins in the Duckor Collection (the 1903-S and 1904-O) are one point below the finest that PCGS has ever certified.
David Akers wrote in the Price catalog: "The strike, color and luster of this specimen put it in a category all its own with respect to 1903 Barber Half Dollars." He calls it one of the most underrated issues in the series. Population (6/10): MS66 (5).
Ex: Dr. Thaine B. Price (David Akers, 5/1998), lot 157.
From The Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Barber Half Dollar Collection.(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24MJ, PCGS# 6495, Greysheet# 6564)

Weight: 12.50 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

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