1903 50C Barber Half Dollar PCGS MS63

A razor-sharp strike and dramatic toning!

Here’s a beauty to add to your collection. Please take a careful look at the photos provided by AUCM. The numismatic artistry of Charles E. Barber has generally been underappreciated. His circulated coins are not attractive, however mint state examples of his work can be breathtaking. PCGS has graded 18 as MS63 with 52 finer.

Numismatic scholar and art critic Cornelius Vermeule writes that, "Liberty's cap, incised diadem, and wreath of laurel were designed to echo all the depth and volume of her Olympian countenance … On both sides the simple dignity of motto, legend, and denomination binds the pictorialism into a cohesive tondo.”

Ron Guth writes in PCGS Coinfacts, “The strike on 1903 Half Dollars is strong in general, but finding an example with full horizontal lines in the shield can be a real challenge.” However, AUCM has found an excellent example of the 1903 half with full horizontal lines in the shield!

Charles E. Barber, who designed and engraved the stunning half dollar that carries his name. Image: Wikimedia Commons.