| Similar to the 1909-S Barber Quarter, the 1909-S Barber Half is not a difficult coin to acquire in circulated grades, but finding the coin in mint state is challenging. The present example was a blast white gem coin which I decided to submit to PCGS for crossover and variety designation in order to have the FS-501 Inverted Mintmark variety denoted on the holder. I have seen estimates that approximately one-quarter to one-third of the entire mintage of 1909-S Barber Half Dollars exhibit the inverted mintmark. The concept of an inverted S mintmark is difficult from some to comprehend, as would be an inverted O mintmark, but the difference is easily seen, especially when compared alongside a normal S mintmark. PCGS disagreed with the previous NGC grade of MS65 and the coin was downgraded to an MS64. Though the coin was almost certainly dipped in the past, has slightly muted luster and exhibits a few light abrasions, this coin is a very solid Barber Half and is very high end for the current MS64 grade. |
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