1907 50C MS67+ 认证号19806534, PCGS号6508

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.

Ron Guth

The 1907 Half Dollar is readily available in all grades up to, and including, MS65.  Around 1906-1907, the PCGS Population Report shows a steady increase in the total populations of most Barber Half Dates, and that of the 1907 is one of the first to show the bump.  Certainly, the 1907 is not as common as other dates such as 1912-D, 1915-D, and 1915-S, but it is common nonetheless.  For a coin that is so plentiful downline, it is extremely rare above MS66.  The best example (and the only one in the MS67 range) is the remarkable PCGS MS67+ formerly of the Duckor and Shireman collections.  In its last appearance at auction, it sold for $51,700 -- or more than twice the nearest competitor.

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David Akers

The 1907 is a relatively common issue, but Gems are certainly very scarce; they are just not as rare as most of the other issues...