2017-12-12 Tue

Stack’s Bowers is offering a lovely MS-63 (PCGS) 1902-O Barber Half Dollar at the December 2017 Collectors Choice Online Auction. The coin has a slight dusting of apricot patina around the obverse border. Both sides have a frosty luster and the fields are satiny and smooth. The peripheral design elements on the obverse are connected by thin die-breaks.

It is a semi-key date in the series and a condition rarity in Uncirculated grades. 2.5 million half dollars were struck in New Orleans which is half of the Mintage Limit of coins struck in Philadelphia the same year. Most coins were heavily circulated and are found in Extremely Fine and lower condition. Experts believe that only 125 examples are remaining in Uncirculated grades and Mint State condition is extremely scarce. The offered MS-63 (PCGS) coin is one of the 14 coins in that grade while only 33 pieces are finer.