PCGS No: 6503

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 2,494,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: Charles E. Barber

Diameter: ±30.6 millimeters

Metal content:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%

Weight: ±12.5 grams

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "S" (for San Francisco) just below the eagle's tail on the reverse

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 8420, illustrated, sold for $4,600.00   Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6025, illustrated, sold for $4,082.50

PCGS MS-63.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1779, sold for $1,265.00

ANACS AU-58.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6024, not illustrated, sold for $345.00

About Uncirculated, cleaned.  Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 1063, not plated, sold for $172.50

Notes:
"This is a good year for Barber halves. Two of the three dates have low mintages and the third has the lowest mint state population of the three. All are rated R4 [Very Scarce] in mint state, an unusual occurrence.

1905-S has dropped in rarity from an R5 [Rare] to R4 [Very Scarce] since 1991 and in ranking from 11th to 22nd (among regular issues). This date still has a surprisingly low population considering its high mintage. 1905-S comes with a good strike and nice luster, but some specimens may have planchet striations.

^{The finest examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-67's.}

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, January 2002" by The Professional Coin Grading Service

1. "The Complete Guide To Certified Barber Coinage" by David & John Feigenbaum