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The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage David & John Feigenbaum David & John Feigenbaum The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage Virginia Beach, Virginia David & John Feigenbaum The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage Virginia Beach, Virginia The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage Copyright © 1999 by DLRC Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized, by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief excerpts in connection with a review in a newspaper or magazine. ISBN 1-880731-61-4 softcover ^ 1-880731-62-2 hardcover 1-880731-63-0 leather DLRC Press Post Office Box 61661 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23466 (800) 776-0560 ^ [email protected] www. da vidla wrence. co m Printed in the United States % The Complete Guide to Shield & The Complete Guide to Other titles Liberty Head Nickels Washington Quarters from by Gloria Peters & Cindy Mohon by John Feigenbaum DLRC Press The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels The Complete Guide to Liberty by David W. Lange Seated Half Dollars by Wiley & Bugert The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes The Complete Guide to Barber Halves byAl Blythe by David Lawrence The Complete Guide to Liberty The Complete Guide to Walking Seated Dimes Liberty Half Dollars by Brian Greer by Bruce Fox The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes The Complete Guide to Franklin by David Lawrence Half Dollars by Rick Tomaska The Complete Guide to Mercury Dimes by David W. Lange The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of United States Morgan The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters, and Peace Silver Dollars, 3rd ed. 1st & 2nd Editions by Van Allen & Mallis by David Lawrence David & John Feigenbaum The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage In 1989, my father, David Lawrence below MS60. Usually, their value doesn’t merit Introduction Feigenbaum, published his first numismatic third-party certification and most collectors book, “The Complete Guide to Barber of these coins want them to fit into their Quarters,” and a tradition was born. In the ten albums. However, a discussion of the key years since, he wrote references on the Barber dates (i.e. 1901-S quarter, 1892-0 micro O half dime and half series as well as a second edi¬ dollar, etc.) in all grades is offered. tion of the Barber quarter book. These books One final word concerning the physical were just a beginning. Dad was the driving state of my father. He was diagnosed in force behind the creation of DLRC Press, October, 1996 with ALS, commonly known as which has provided a vehicle for other numis¬ Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is an unforgiving, matic experts to publish works in their own progressive affliction which slowly shuts areas of expertise. The listing on page V is a down the body’s muscular ability. Sadly, dad is showcase of the books that have resulted from now only able to type using a special attach¬ our efforts. ment to his laptop computer and communi¬ My father and I also trade under the name cating is very cumbersome. In 1997, I began David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC). For over taking over day-to-day operations of David twenty years we concentrated on the Barber Lawrence Rare Coins. Dad continues to come series as well as other U.S. collector coinage. in the office daily, using his knowledge and Naturally the business has evolved over time guidance to assist with the many decisions and our focus has broadened to include all that arise. certified U.S. coins. Barbers remain one of the most underval¬ We’ve never left our roots, and dad and I ued and underappreciated of all U.S. coins in remain true to our first love -- Barber dimes, mint state -- two of our favorite qualities of quarters and half dollars. In this book we are the series. We sincerely hope you enjoy the presenting all three series under one cover, contents of this book and share in our enthu¬ with a specific focus on certified coins; that is, siasm and love of these coins. coins which have been independently graded by a third party grading service. PCGS and NGC are the industry giants in this depart¬ Numismatically yours, ment, with a few other players including ANACS, PCI and newcomer, ICG. By focusing on certified coins, we are eliminating the discussion of most coins The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage David & John Feigenbaum A PERSONAL APPRECIATION FOR the knowledge and keen eye that would soon HIGH-GRADE BARBERS make him one of the nation's top dealers in Foreword rare coins. In the shop, we saw a great many By Mark Salzberg, President Barber coins come in from other dealers and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation the general public. I was struck by how many of these pieces were worn almost slick-the Authors' Note: Since the grading of mint state Barber coins really did their job! coins of any series is best left to the experts, we My appetite for dealing in coins was invited Mr. Salzberg to share his perspective on whetted by this experience, and I followed how he (and the NGC grading team) approach John into the ranks of traveling coin dealers. I the Barber series. quickly developed a knack for grading, learn¬ ing to pick out the subtle nuances that distin¬ guish a gem coin from an ordinary one and a My introduction to the Barber series of slider from a mint state piece. Barber Dimes, silver coins came shortly after my discovery of Quarters and Halves provided a wonderful coin collecting. Finding silver coins in circula¬ training field, since each series is found over tion was already a thing of the past, so virtual¬ such a wide range of grades. Also challenging ly every coin type made by the United States at first was learning the peculiarities that dis¬ Mint was new to me. The thing that struck me tinguish the coins of one mint from those of so much about the Barber coins was that they other mints. I developed an appreciation for looked appealing even in worn condition. A 'O' Mint coins that displayed full details in coin from the 1890s or early 1900s that had a Liberty's forecurls and the eagle's claw. I discernible design and a readable date and learned to anticipate the stunning proof-like mintmark when worn down to Good still quality of so many of the 'S' Mint pieces from remained desirable. Though I was never a the 1890s. serious collector of these coins, I admired One experience followed another, and I their classical lines and timeless appeal. quickly found myself in demand from several The transition from coin collector to part- major dealers as a buyer and grader. It was my time dealer was an easy and natural one for privilege to handle some of the finest rare me, and by my mid teens I was working in a coins, including many outstanding Barber coin shop. My friend and mentor there was pieces. John Albanese who, though only a couple A particular coin that stands out in my years older than me, was already displaying mind is an 1895-0 quarter that I owned in the David & John Feigenbaum The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage vii early '80s. I saw it in a Capitol Plastics holder In my time with NGC, we've certified Foreword that housed Marty Haber's type set. This piece some of the most amazing Barber coins is the most incredible Barber that I've ever known. Some memorable highlights include continued seen. The coin was 100% fully struck and fully an 1898-0 dime in MS-68 (a scarce issue in proof-like, with giant, completely squared-off mint state) and a similarly graded 1911. rims. It also had the most beautiful multi-col¬ Though not a rare date, this specimen is sim¬ ored toning. In some ways it was better than a ply breathtaking. Nearly perfect, it includes proof-this thing just jumped right out of the wonderful halos of amber and magenta ton¬ holder! I immediately made a deal with Marty ing on both sides. It's from the Knoxville by paying ten times what a gem 1895-0 was Collection, a stunning set of the finest certi¬ worth then. This same coin recently turned fied silver type coins. The proof from this col¬ up at auction, and the pedigree even included lection is also a 1911, and it's gorgeously my name! Every time I see a Barber coin from toned, too. the 1890s with a similar character I remember Another Knoxville coin is the 1892 quarter this piece. The mints did some amazing work we graded MS-68. It's one of several NGC has in 1893-95, particularly New Orleans. A case seen in that grade, which is not too surprising. can be made that some of these coins were As the first year of issue, people saved them. struck as presentation pieces. NGC doesn't grade many Barber Quarters When John Albanese created NGC in that high, since gems of this caliber are 1987,1 was among the frequent submitters of exceedingly rare. The few we've seen that superb coins. Given my expertise in grading merited a grade of MS-68 include several of and our past friendship and business rela¬ the Eliasberg coins. I think everyone was tionship, it was only natural that I joined the blown away by that collection when it came company soon afterward. That's when things up for auction. We received a number of the really got fun. As a top grader and then ulti¬ Eliasberg pieces for grading after the sale, and mately as president and grading finalizer, I ones that made the MS-68 cut include his was able to see the very best in United States 1893-0,1895-S, 1900-0, 1902-S, 1907-0,1908- coins on a daily basis. This only increased my D, 1911-Sand 1912-S. Eliasberg proofs that we appreciation for Charles Barber's artistry and graded 68 include his 1897, 1903, 1909 and skill. There's nothing like a fully struck, ultra 1911. The 1898 proof from that collection was cameo, gem proof Barber Dime, Quarter or almost unbelievable, and NGC graded it PF- Half to make one realize what a wealth of fine 69! detail these designs have to offer. Barber Halves offer a wonderful collecting viii The Complete Guide to Certified Barber Coinage David & John Feigenbaum