Dr. Peter and Janice Shireman Set 的钱币相册
CAC. Laibstain. Troy Wiseman Collection specimen. The most abundant coin to survive in the whole series in mint state in all grade levels. Virtually 10% of each and every mint state certified grade by PCGS is made up of the 1892 Philadelphia issue. This issue is usually well struck, as is typical of most Philadelphia-struck coins of the era. The 1892 was saved as the novel first year of issue. The example in our set is a superb coin with multiple colors over intense luster, a very striking example; it stands out with its vibrant and swirling look. The date is popular with collectors as it is the first date of the Barber half series, and is readily available in all grades with relative ease, although nice F to EF coins are the most challenging to find. Harry's great eye for quality helped us choose this coin for our set. Only the Duckor coin in MS 68 and an MS 67+ example are graded higher. This is an especially important coin for a complete set, as it classically begins the set, and in this case, does so with great style. A study of the population report of Barber halves from PCGS shows that the seven or eight most plentiful issues graded in mint state, like the 92, 15-D, 09, 07-D, 07, 08-O, and 12-D account for a large percentage of all certified mint state examples. That means that there are a lot of the issues that make up the rest of the set that have few available. As you read our comments below, you will note how often it will be indicated that few coins exist for a given date and mint mark in mint state, particularly in gem condition. There is a variety known as the triple die reverse for this issue, with the finest known example formerly in the Dale Friend set, but it was not attributed until 2013 when it appeared in the Owen Collection auction sold at the pre-ANA sale in August 2013 in Rosemont, IL. Please share our joy and passion for this set of coins by looking at our descriptions and stories, and viewing the digital images.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon. Magnificent, spectacular, this is a very special coin. One of our favorites with cameo-type contrast and unbelievable peripheral toning in this masterpiece. A real work of art, and a coin that bettered our MS 65 example. Not one in a 1000 mint state Barber half dollars looks like this. We wish they were all this gorgeous. Strikes can vary for this date, but strong strikes are out there. Higher grade examples exist, but it would hard for us to replace this coin with any other. There is one 1894-O half listed on the population report as MS 68 and this may be the coin formerly in the Pryor collection, and if so, it has intense proof-like surfaces. To our knowledge, the Pryor coin has not been on the market since it sold at auction in 1996.
CAC. Laibstain. Duckor/Price coin. Wonderful coin with beautiful colors, tied for the finest known with one other coin. Great luster and strike as expected for an MS 67 coin. The San Francisco strikes were often very strong, similar to the Philadelphia strikes. The 1895-S is a much tougher date in the early part of the set and examples above MS 64 are difficult to find. This is a real prize from the Steve Duckor set and the pedigree also includes Dr. Thane Price. Both Drs. Duckor and Price utilized Dave Akers as a key dealer and adviser to their sets. When Dr. Price sold his set at auction, Dr. Duckor bought many of the coins, and upgraded his set.
CAC. Laibstain. Magnificent original coin recently found (2013) in a New England museum where it sat unmolested for nearly 120 years, with other coins of its era. Recently graded and was offered in a Stack Bowers auction. This coin marks the first 1896 of any mint we have been able to acquire in over MS 65 condition. The coin has wonderful original toning, a very nice and sharp strike and beautiful colors, particularly near the rims, more uniform on the reverse. The coin speaks boldly of its originality and has a very clean cheek and very few marks are seen, even with magnification. This is the first new coin added to this set in two full years. The only example graded finer is the example formerly in the Dr. Steve Duckor set, an MS 67, previously of the Dr. Thaine Price Collection. We are very pleased that Harry Laibstain was able to find this coin for our set. The Philadelphia mint coins from 1892-1895 are relatively easily found in gem and better grade, and the 1897-1899 are, as well. The 1896 is clearly the most difficult to find in gem and better from the early years. As mentioned below, the 1900-1905 Philadelphia issues are also difficult to locate in gem, and from 1906-1912 are more easily found.
Laibstain. Northern Bay collection (Stacks), formerly in New England Rare Coin Auction 1975, lot 602. Tied for finest known with three other coins and has a beautiful bluish tint over the lustrous surfaces. Strongly struck and a known classic tough date for Barber Halves along with 96-O and 96-S, and 97-O (and others). This beautiful half dollar is a pleasure to behold, one of the old-time classic known rarities of the set, in superb gem condition. This is a date that in good or better condition is a hard to find coin, carrying a premium over the common dates, in all grades. This is clearly a high-end example that was carefully preserved since its striking over 115 years ago.
Laibstain. Northern Bay collection (Stacks), formerly in New England Rare Coin Auction 1975, lot 602. Tied for finest known with three other coins and has a beautiful bluish tint over the lustrous surfaces. Strongly struck and a known classic tough date for Barber Halves along with 96-O and 96-S, and 97-O (and others). This beautiful half dollar is a pleasure to behold, one of the old-time classic known rarities of the set, in superb gem condition. This is a date that in good or better condition is a hard to find coin, carrying a premium over the common dates, in all grades. This is clearly a high-end example that was carefully preserved since its striking over 115 years ago.
CAC Laibstain. Hugon. A very nice example from John Hugon's amazing Barber half dollar set. Nicely stuck, pretty toning, and underlying mint luster all make this a very special coin. Despite the mintage being among the highest for the entire series, the date is very difficult to find in gem or better condition. Many collectors chose proof coins for their Philadelphia Mint issues, so finding such a nice example that has remained nice for over 110 years is nothing short of miraculous.
CAC. Laibstain. A very pretty coin acquired from Harry Laibstain. Amazing blue toning is present over both obverse and reverse. The coin came from an original 1900 mint set Harry bought. This example is bettered by only two other coins per the population report. The Philadelphia coins from the middle years of the set are all very tough to find in gem and better condition. Remember that most of the early coin collectors used proof coins from Philadelphia rather than circulation strikes in building their collections. Only from scattered and seemingly random saving do we have preserved today, coins in high grade like this one. It not only had to survive not getting put into circulation, but it was never cleaned, polished or mistreated in its 115 years of existence. Also, many coins carefully cared for can develop toning that is dark or otherwise not eye-appealing. This coin has beaten all the odds to survive to today. It is now safely stored in a very stable PCGS SecurePlus holder, which gives assurance that it will not be damaged. Though we do not no the exact reason that someone saved the particular set of uncirculated coins from 1900 from which came this half dollar, various possibilities exist. Perhaps it was someone's birth year, a wedding year, or someone wanting to commemorate the changing of the dates from 1800's to 1900's. We find that entertaining such notions highlights our experience in collecting and enjoying our coins. Coin collecting is a lot of fun.
CAC. Laibstain. A very tough to find coin in MS 65 or above. This is a middle P-mint date that no one seemed to save in mint state condition, as proofs were more popular. Very nice toning on this fabulous piece. Tied with the Duckor collection specimen as the finest known. It is amazing to think that this coin has a population of only 2 in MS 67 whereas the very highly-sought after 1904-S has three in the same grade of MS 67. Finding an acceptable example like this one for our set was extremely difficult and required a long period of looking. Hunting for coins makes the experience enjoyable It provides a focus to locate an example (fun of the hunt) and the satisfaction when the acquisition is made. Mostly, we approach the set with an attitude of it not being completed. This provides us with the attitude that other coins are out there that would be acceptable upgrades, and keeps the collector spirit alive and well. Some day, we will consider the set complete, just not yet.
CAC. Laibstain. 2008 Heritage ANA sale. A lustrous and pretty toned example, dripping with originality. What seems at first to be a coin that would be fairly easy to find in gem, the 1902 is a real sleeper. The population of surviving gems from Philadelphia from 1900-1905 is few, and a perusal of the population reports tells you the real facts. These coins are really rare! Part of this is explained by the fact that many of the contemporary collectors saved proof examples for their Philadelphia examples. This is one of the more recent coins that Harry helped find for us. The coin as a 66+, is the second finest known. You just don't see the middle dates like this one show up very often. Harry's expert eye is very helpful to us in forming this collection.
CAC. Laibstain. 2008 Heritage ANA sale. A lustrous and pretty toned example, dripping with originality. What seems at first to be a coin that would be fairly easy to find in gem, the 1902 is a real sleeper. The population of surviving gems from Philadelphia from 1900-1905 is few, and a perusal of the population reports tells you the real facts. These coins are really rare! Part of this is explained by the fact that many of the contemporary collectors saved proof examples for their Philadelphia examples. This is one of the more recent coins that Harry helped find for us. The coin as a 66+, is the second finest known. You just don't see the middle dates like this one show up very often. Harry's expert eye is very helpful to us in forming this collection.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon. A beautifully toned superb gem that is well struck and matches the coin described in the Emery-Nichols catalog, and considering the limited number of coins in MS 66 and up, this example most likely is from Emery-Nichols. Unfortunately, most coins sold at the time of the Emery-Nichols Sale have either small black and white photographs in the catalog, or no photographs at all. This makes trying to match such coins very difficult. In putting this set together, a few coins have been traced back to important collections, but with no designation on the holder when first obtained. Obtaining specific pedigree information is great fun and is very rewarding to us. Occasionally one can find an expert like David Akers, David Hall, or others who can remember specific coins and link them back to a specific set or auction, and that can be a tremendous help. Only one 1903-S is graded finer at MS 68.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon. A beautifully toned superb gem that is well struck and matches the coin described in the Emery-Nichols catalog, and considering the limited number of coins in MS 66 and up, this example most likely is from Emery-Nichols. Unfortunately, most coins sold at the time of the Emery-Nichols Sale have either small black and white photographs in the catalog, or no photographs at all. This makes trying to match such coins very difficult. In putting this set together, a few coins have been traced back to important collections, but with no designation on the holder when first obtained. Obtaining specific pedigree information is great fun and is very rewarding to us. Occasionally one can find an expert like David Akers, David Hall, or others who can remember specific coins and link them back to a specific set or auction, and that can be a tremendous help. Only one 1903-S is graded finer at MS 68.
CAC. Laibstain. A moderately and delicately toned coin with a great strike. A coin from the middle dates that was just not saved in uncirculated condition to any great extent. Strikes for this issue tend to be better than for the 1900-1902-O coins. This is a lower mintage date that was found to be exceedingly difficult to find in mint state in David Lawrence's 1991 original book on Barber half dollars. Since that time, a number of gems and superb gems have come to market and the population has grown a little bit. There are two examples in MS 68. No other Barber half issue has more than one example in MS 68, including the 1892. Gem and better coins are still difficult to find.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon coin and formerly NGC 69 as the only mint state barber half to reach that grade at either major service. We still have the NGC 69 insert tag as a souvenir. This is an absolutely amazing coin! Quite possibly this coin is from the Emery-Nichols collection, based upon my research. Any MS 68 Barber Half is noteworthy, as there are only 11 or 12 known for the entire series in PCGS holders. The only coin in the series currently graded higher by PCGS is the 1905 that was in the Steve Duckor collection and attained MS 68+ (I have seen that coin and it is magnificent and deserves the high grade designation!). Some experts consider this 1906-S half to be as nice as the 1905 half just mentioned, but if not, this 1906-S half may well be the second finest mint state Barber half in existence. It is mentioned in the forward of the John Feigenbaum book on certified Barber coinage, by Mark Salzberg, as a very noteworthy and outstanding coin he remembers from the many thousands of mint state Barber coins he has seen and graded. Our coin is outstanding in quality and historically is interesting for marking the year and site of the San Francisco earthquake. It was featured, out of a multitude of high-quality mint state and proof Barber coins, as the coin featured on the cover of the Heritage auction catalog for the John Hugon Collection. The colors and toning are gorgeous and the underlying luster is superb, and virtually no marks are to be seen. It is the finest known 1906-S half dollar. It is arguably one of the top 10 finest quality mint state Barber half dollars extant. If indeed from the Emery-Nichols collection, the pedigree is top-notch.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon coin and formerly NGC 69 as the only mint state barber half to reach that grade at either major service. We still have the NGC 69 insert tag as a souvenir. This is an absolutely amazing coin! Quite possibly this coin is from the Emery-Nichols collection, based upon my research. Any MS 68 Barber Half is noteworthy, as there are only 11 or 12 known for the entire series in PCGS holders. The only coin in the series currently graded higher by PCGS is the 1905 that was in the Steve Duckor collection and attained MS 68+ (I have seen that coin and it is magnificent and deserves the high grade designation!). Some experts consider this 1906-S half to be as nice as the 1905 half just mentioned, but if not, this 1906-S half may well be the second finest mint state Barber half in existence. It is mentioned in the forward of the John Feigenbaum book on certified Barber coinage, by Mark Salzberg, as a very noteworthy and outstanding coin he remembers from the many thousands of mint state Barber coins he has seen and graded. Our coin is outstanding in quality and historically is interesting for marking the year and site of the San Francisco earthquake. It was featured, out of a multitude of high-quality mint state and proof Barber coins, as the coin featured on the cover of the Heritage auction catalog for the John Hugon Collection. The colors and toning are gorgeous and the underlying luster is superb, and virtually no marks are to be seen. It is the finest known 1906-S half dollar. It is arguably one of the top 10 finest quality mint state Barber half dollars extant. If indeed from the Emery-Nichols collection, the pedigree is top-notch.
CAC. Laibstain. Duckor/FUN 2004. A previous owner of this top-notch example of the issue kindly provided me with some additional older history. This coin was saved by a collector active in the 1930's and 1940's, a former judge, who saved coins in paper envelopes. He did not build complete collections, but found nice stuff, mostly EF and AU coins, and put them away. It was a collection he put together in the Pacific Northwest. This 1907 half was later graded and then consigned to the 2004 FUN auction. This story helps illustrate how seemingly random it was for most individual Barber Half Dollar coins to make it from the late 1890's and early 1900's to today in gem or better condition. A coin has to beat all odds to make it that long without damage, and to maintain good eye appeal. Although this issue is readily available in lower mint state grades, even up to MS 64 and MS 65, it becomes very uncommon in better gem grades. A beautiful coin and the finest known example. Another great story about this coin is that it was one I really wanted from Dr. Duckor's set. The bidding for this coin at the Heritage auction at the ANA in Boston in 2010 was going past where I was really comfortable, but my wife, sitting next to me attending her first ever coin auction, asked me if I wanted the coin, I muttered and nodded my head ever so slightly, she grabbed the paddle from my hand put it up, and voila, it was ours. Not just a bid, but a cut-bid. She caught on fast! Others watching found this mini drama quite amusing.
CAC. Laibstain. Duckor/FUN 2004. A previous owner of this top-notch example of the issue kindly provided me with some additional older history. This coin was saved by a collector active in the 1930's and 1940's, a former judge, who saved coins in paper envelopes. He did not build complete collections, but found nice stuff, mostly EF and AU coins, and put them away. It was a collection he put together in the Pacific Northwest. This 1907 half was later graded and then consigned to the 2004 FUN auction. This story helps illustrate how seemingly random it was for most individual Barber Half Dollar coins to make it from the late 1890's and early 1900's to today in gem or better condition. A coin has to beat all odds to make it that long without damage, and to maintain good eye appeal. Although this issue is readily available in lower mint state grades, even up to MS 64 and MS 65, it becomes very uncommon in better gem grades. A beautiful coin and the finest known example. Another great story about this coin is that it was one I really wanted from Dr. Duckor's set. The bidding for this coin at the Heritage auction at the ANA in Boston in 2010 was going past where I was really comfortable, but my wife, sitting next to me attending her first ever coin auction, asked me if I wanted the coin, I muttered and nodded my head ever so slightly, she grabbed the paddle from my hand put it up, and voila, it was ours. Not just a bid, but a cut-bid. She caught on fast! Others watching found this mini drama quite amusing.
CAC. Laibstain. This was the first MS 67 of the date graded by PCGS. Later, a coin owned by Steve Duckor, that he obtained from Stewart Blay, was graded the same, and no others have graded at this level or greater since. It was one of the first MS 67 coins in our set, as we started with lower grade coins and upgraded along the way. This coin has very nice luster and and a very clean cheek. It is a tough coin in the middle series dates in gem and better condition. At times the 1908 is available at a common date price. We have always considered the 1908 to be a sleeper date, and a good value.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon coin. Was NGC 68 when purchased. Very nice originally toned example, and now the finest known; the coin has the inverted mint mark. This 1909-S Barber Half is simply an incredibly beautiful coin. Sharply struck and this is a date I have always liked. One of my first mint state Barber halves was an 09-S with proof-like features, bought as part of a 20th Century type set in an old Capital Plastic board. When submitted to PCGS it made MS 64 and has been owned by several other collectors, including Glenn Holsonbake. Proof-like barber halves are some of my favorites, but are not very numerous. Proof-like coins generally are some of the first struck off of new dies, the proof-like effect wears off the dies fairly quickly.
CAC. Laibstain. Hugon coin. Was NGC 68 when purchased. Very nice originally toned example, and now the finest known; the coin has the inverted mint mark. This 1909-S Barber Half is simply an incredibly beautiful coin. Sharply struck and this is a date I have always liked. One of my first mint state Barber halves was an 09-S with proof-like features, bought as part of a 20th Century type set in an old Capital Plastic board. When submitted to PCGS it made MS 64 and has been owned by several other collectors, including Glenn Holsonbake. Proof-like barber halves are some of my favorites, but are not very numerous. Proof-like coins generally are some of the first struck off of new dies, the proof-like effect wears off the dies fairly quickly.
CAC. Laibstain. A high-end gorgeous lustrous coin with sharp strike and nice overall color. All the features go together to explain how this coin received its lofty grade of MS 67+. One finer coin is known in MS 68 and it has been off the market for about 10 years or more. I was last aware of it being offered for sale by David Hall Rare Coins along with another MS 68 coin, a 1905-O. A tougher date in the late part of the series and they generally come well struck with strong luster. This is a date we really like and this particular coin has great character.
CAC. Laibstain. A high-end gorgeous lustrous coin with sharp strike and nice overall color. All the features go together to explain how this coin received its lofty grade of MS 67+. One finer coin is known in MS 68 and it has been off the market for about 10 years or more. I was last aware of it being offered for sale by David Hall Rare Coins along with another MS 68 coin, a 1905-O. A tougher date in the late part of the series and they generally come well struck with strong luster. This is a date we really like and this particular coin has great character.
CAC. Laibstain. Ex: Friend/Hayes. A pretty toned coin and currently the finest graded S/S variety.
CAC. Laibstain. Top pop coin. The coin has nice proof-like fields, a not too common attribute to mint state Barber halves of any date. The 1912-D is very common in circulated condition and serves as a great type coin all the way from good to gem; in mint state up through MS 64 it is very common and serves as one of the most available dates for a mint state Barber Half Dollar. It is not too difficult in MS 65, but is very tough in MS 66 or better. This coin, hand-picked by Harry Laibstain from many avaliable coins out there, is now graded at MS 66+, and as such is the single finest known. Having an MS 66+ as finest known is really hard to believe for this late-date issue as rolls of these were saved in uncirculated condition by some early dealers. It really is fun to collect these coins, study the history, peruse the populations of certified coins, and discuss these features with fellow enthusiastic collectors.
CAC. Laibstain. Top pop coin. The coin has nice proof-like fields, a not too common attribute to mint state Barber halves of any date. The 1912-D is very common in circulated condition and serves as a great type coin all the way from good to gem; in mint state up through MS 64 it is very common and serves as one of the most available dates for a mint state Barber Half Dollar. It is not too difficult in MS 65, but is very tough in MS 66 or better. This coin, hand-picked by Harry Laibstain from many avaliable coins out there, is now graded at MS 66+, and as such is the single finest known. Having an MS 66+ as finest known is really hard to believe for this late-date issue as rolls of these were saved in uncirculated condition by some early dealers. It really is fun to collect these coins, study the history, peruse the populations of certified coins, and discuss these features with fellow enthusiastic collectors.
Whitlow. An early purchase in the set when Larry was still very active with high-end type coins. A beautiful and evenly toned example with great eye appeal. The strike is strong and this is the first of the last three Philadelphia Mint Barber Halves, all with low mintages. The 1913, 1914, and 1915 Philadelphia issues are known semi-keys in all grades, from well-worn to gems. This is a very tough date, particularly in MS 64 and better. Previously had an MS 64 coin in the set. Tough date with only one graded finer, the Duckor example.
Whitlow. An early purchase in the set when Larry was still very active with high-end type coins. A beautiful and evenly toned example with great eye appeal. The strike is strong and this is the first of the last three Philadelphia Mint Barber Halves, all with low mintages. The 1913, 1914, and 1915 Philadelphia issues are known semi-keys in all grades, from well-worn to gems. This is a very tough date, particularly in MS 64 and better. Previously had an MS 64 coin in the set. Tough date with only one graded finer, the Duckor example.
Dave Weygant. Nice original toning and good luster. A very tough date in MS 65 and better, and a really good date in MS 64. This is an issue we really like due to the low mintage and lack of many gem and better coins. The low mintage has led to circulated coins to be hoarded by some. Only two finer graded than this nice gem. The 1914 is a lower mintage and, along with the 1913 and 1915 issues from Philadelphia, is highly prized in any condition, all the way from well-worn to pristine examples. The last three Philadelphia issues are minor key coins to the set in any condition, and there have been individuals that hoard these dates in circulated condition. We are unaware of anyone hoarding Barber halves in mint state condition.
Dave Weygant. Nice original toning and good luster. A very tough date in MS 65 and better, and a really good date in MS 64. This is an issue we really like due to the low mintage and lack of many gem and better coins. The low mintage has led to circulated coins to be hoarded by some. Only two finer graded than this nice gem. The 1914 is a lower mintage and, along with the 1913 and 1915 issues from Philadelphia, is highly prized in any condition, all the way from well-worn to pristine examples. The last three Philadelphia issues are minor key coins to the set in any condition, and there have been individuals that hoard these dates in circulated condition. We are unaware of anyone hoarding Barber halves in mint state condition.
Laibstain. This coin is very lustrous and has nice fields. It is very tough in grade MS 65 and is downright nearly impossible to find in MS 66 and above. This is surprising given that it is the last S mint in the series and uncirculated rolls were apparently saved. Tied for finest known with the Duckor coin, a toned example. Steve Duckor looked long and hard to find his MS 67 example which ended up being one of the last upgrade coins he acquired for his set. This issue completes the set as usually collected, starting in 1892 and ending in 1915, with coins listed usually in order of mints where made, Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco, as appropriate for each given year. Our set starts off with a beautifully toned 1892 Philadelphia issue and ends with a lustrous white 1915-S, both in superb gem MS 67 condition; bookends if you will. In comparing notes with other Barber Half Dollar collectors and knowledgeable dealers, the early years tend to have coins with the prettier toning, and later dates are more often hard to find with such nice toning; they are more often lightly toned to bright white. Some of these differences may be explained by how the coins were originally stored and maintained, knowing that many early dates were likely placed in paper envelopes or in wooden drawers or cabinets, with some of the later years stored as rolls for some time. We hope you enjoy looking at this set incuding the beautiful images from Phil at PCGS, and reading my descriptions of the coins. We are definitely passionate about our Barber Half Set, and it has and continues to provide great fun!