1904-S Barber Half Dollar. MS-62 (NGC).Seldom-offered Uncirculated preservation for this low mintage, key date entry in the Barber half dollar series. Warmly and attractively toned, both sides are awash in pinkish-gray patina. Frosty mint luster shines forth nicely as the coin rotates under a light. The strike is sharp throughout, and the in-hand appearance is smoother than one might expect at the assigned grade level.<p>With a mintage of just 553,038 pieces, the 1904-S is certainly scarce to rare in all grades. On the other hand, well worn survivors are not as elusive as those of higher mintage mintmarked issues in this series such as the 1896-S, 1897-O and 1897-S. Perhaps the low mintage prevented many coins in grades such as Good and VG from being melted over the years? Above the Choice VF level, however, the significant rarity of the 1904-S comes readily to fore. David Lawrence has described this issue as the rarest Barber half dollar in EF and AU grades. In Mint State it is a landmark rarity, which judgement confirms that this BU example will see spirited bidding among advanced Barber coinage enthusiasts.PCGS# 6500. NGC ID: 24MP.NGC Census: 3; 12 finer (MS-67 finest).
