1892-O 50C Barber Half Dollar, Micro O VF35 (CAC)

Less than 100 exist in all grades!

This, the 1892-O Micro O half dollar, is considered the rarest in the entire Barber half dollar series (1892-1915). The most logical explanation of this variety is that the mintmark punch used by the engraver was meant for a quarter rather than the half dollar. PCGS has graded one as VF35, with 17 finer. In CAC, there is 1 in VF35 with 8 finer.

Photo images of the Micro O and the Normal O, courtesy of the PCGS Coinfacts website.

Of this important variety, Gordon Wrubel writes, "The discovery of the variety has been credited to prominent numismatist, Howard R. Newcomb of Detroit, Michigan in 1914."

The Micro O can be identified not only by the its small size, but more importantly, the SHAPE of its Mint Mark. The left wall of the O is VERY THIN, while the right wall is VERY THICK. It is actually at least twice as thick as the left wall. Also the interior of the mint mark is shaped like an upright FOOTBALL. These features are diagnostic and can even be seen on well worn coins. The regular size 1892-O mint mark has EVEN SIDE WALLS and the interior is OVAL shaped, like the O in the word DOLLAR below it.

The Micro O is very rare. It is estimated that less than 100 exist in all grades. It may come as a surprise to some observers that several Mint State specimens exist. But one has to remember that this was a First Year issue and many were saved as souvenirs."