1905 50C MS68+ 认证号16398740, PCGS号6501

John Albanese/CAC

Ron Guth

The 1905 is a scarce, low-mintage date, but it is readily available in Mint State, particularly at the MS64 level.  MS63 and MS65 examples are of approximately the same rarity, though the latter is considerably more expensive than the former.  As tough as this date might be, it is one of only a few in the series that is represented by an MS68 example -- in this case, a PCGS MS68+ -- making it the single best Barber Half Dollar of any date certified by PCGS.  Not surprisingly, that piece was once owned by Dr. Steven Duckor, whose eye for quality was unsurpassed.  When it coin sold in 2010, it brought $132,250, a record price for ANY Barber Half Dollar.

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David Akers

Only 662,000 pieces were minted of this issue, one of the lowest mintage figures for the entire series regardless of mint. Among Philadelphia Mint issues, the 1905 ranks fifth in low mintage after the 1910, 1913, 1914 and 1915. However, this issue is much more rare than any of those with the sole exception of the 1914. In my experience, the 1905 is also not as rare as the 1903 and 1904, but its very low mintage has gained it a rather greater measure of fame.