LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

657

1896-O 50C MS65 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:16,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1896-O 50C MS65 PCGS
<B>1896-O 50C MS65 PCGS. CAC.</B></I> David and John Feigenbaum, in their <I>Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage, </B></I>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 <I>fewer</B></I> 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.<BR> 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).<BR><I>From The Southwest Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Charles E. Barber<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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