1912 50C MS66 Certification #19806550, PCGS #6524

Steve Duckor. Nice original lustrous coin. This date eluded any grading over MS 65 for a long time after the start of third-party grading. However, a few examples eventually have made it to MS 66 and one better. A very common date up to MS 64 and this issue of the Barber Half Dollar series makes a great type coin as it often comes lustrous and nice. It is a bit more difficult in MS 65 still, but was once very difficult to find in MS 65; it is especially hard to find in higher grades. We are happy to have this carefully selected coin that was in the Duckor set as an MS 65, later replaced by his coin, the MS 66+ coin, finest known. We hold this coin with pride knowing it was once in the Duckor collection and that the only coin better is the one Steve found for his set that made this coin his duplicate. During the many years of assembling this set, a great deal of time was spent looking at coins, watching auctions, studying available coins and their pricing. It was truly surprising when the first example graded MS 66 appeared several years ago, pushing past the barrier of MS 65 that lasted so many years. Now there are three coins at MS 66 and better.

Ron Guth

The 1912 Half Dollar is a common coin in Mint State, but only in the middle grades of MS62 to MS64.  This date is scarce in MS65 but downright rare in MS66.  No MS67's have shown up since the advent of the grading services.  The reason for this is unknown, as this date comes well-struck and attractive.

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David Akers

This is a very common issue below Gem condition, and it is one of the most common mint state issues of the entire series. However, for some unknown reason, Gems are surprisingly scarce. In fact, with the exception of the ultra-low mintage 1914, the 1912 is the rarest Philadelphia Mint issue in Gem condition from 1906-1915. This is an issue that almost no one thinks of as being anything special because of the ready availability of lower grade specimens, but just try and find a Gem...