1905-S 50C MS(PCGS#6503)

February 2025 Showcase Auction - U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1089

Grade

MS65

Price

5,760

Lot Description

The 1905-S is one of the surprise condition rarities in the Barber half dollar series, an issue that David Lawrence (1991) describes as, "A sleeper in MS (like the 1910-S) and underrated." While mintmarked half dollar issues of this type were generally overlooked by contemporary numismatists, the 1905-S suffered an especially high rate of attrition and is far rarer in Gem Mint State than a mintage of 2,494,000 pieces might imply. This is only the second high grade uncirculated example that we have offered in more than a decade. It is a sharply struck, lustrous, and otherwise brilliant coin with subtle champagne-gold peripheral highlights. Once again, as so often in our sales, the word "opportunity" comes to the fore.