[The following excerpt is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its author, David Lawrence This information was originally published in 1991 in The Complete Guide to Barber Halves
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GRADING
Barber Halves are an easy series to grade but, like many U.S. coins, the strike must be taken into consideration. Coins from the New Orleans Mint are often weakly struck, lacking detail on Liberty’s forehead and wreath on the Obverse. On the reverse, weakness is manifested along a vertical path from the right corner of the shield down to the eagle’s claw.
Coins wear continuously, not in discrete steps, and the different standard grades represent levels in the process. It is not surprising that coins often fall between grades and so called “split grades” have come into standard use in today’s market.
AG 2 (ABOUT GOOD)
The rim is away on both obverse and reverse sides.
G 4 (GOOD)
OBVERSE: Details of Liberty’s wreath are completely worn. The rim is usually complete.
REVERSE: The rim is not quite complete in earlier years (1892 – 1899). In later years it will be complete, but not three-dimensional.
G 6 (GOOD/VERY GOOD)
The rim is complete on both sides. OBVERSE: Some of Liberty’s wreath detail will show, also the beginning of the word LIBERTY. Usually the “L.”
REVERSE: The rim will be complete for all but the most poorly struck years (1898-0 for example)
VG 8 (VERY GOOD)
OBVERSE: Three letters of LIBERTY show, usually the L, T and Y Liberty’s head wreath will show more detail. The rim will show three-dimensional
REVERSE: The design will show more three-dimensionality than in the previous grade.
VG 10 (VERY GOOD/FINE)
This and the following three grades are determined almost entirely from the obverse, barring damage and problems on the reverse.
OBVERSE: Five of the letters in LIBERTY will show.
REVERSE: More detail will start to appear in the eagle’s wings.
F 12 (FINE)
OBVERSE: All seven letters in LIBERTY can be seen, though the BER may be weak. Liberty’s wreath will start to fill out. NOTE: On 1909-P,0 & S issues the word LIBERTY is protected and these coins often technically grade Fine, but lack wreath detail (see photo).
REVERSE: The wreath will show more detail.
F 16 (FINE/VERY FINE)
OBVERSE: LIBERTY is almost complete with only a slight weakness in the lower part of the BER. Liberty’s wreath will be almost complete, but well worn.
VF 20 (VERY FINE)
OBVERSE: The word Liberty is complete. Liberty’s head wreath will show considerable three-dimensionality with weakness in the area closest to the her eye.
REVERSE: The eagle’s wing feathers will be almost complete, with the top feather of each wing starting to show.
VF 30 (VERY FINE/EXTRA FINE)
OBVERSE: The band under LIBERTY will begin to show at both ends. The word LIBERTY will be fairly bold.
REVERSE: On many issues, the top wing feathers will be outlined.
XF 40 (EXTREMELY FINE)
OBVERSE: The band under LIBERTY is complete, though weak. The forehead shows three-dimensionality and slight detail.
REVERSE: The top wing feathers are outlined and three dimensional.
XF 45 (EXTREMELY FINE/ALMOST UNCIRCULATED)
OBVERSE: There is three-dimensionality to the band under LIBERTY and detail to the hair over the forehead. A hint of luster may be present around the periphery.
REVERSE: The coin has sharp three- dimensional detail and often some luster around the periphery
AU 50 (ABOUT UNCIRCULATED)
Surface is important in this grade. Both sides of the coin should have some mint luster, unless the coin is dark or cleaned.
OBVERSE: All details are complete with only slight signs of rub. The hair over the forehead is three-dimensional. Liberty cheek will be slightly flat.
REVERSE: All details are virtually complete.
AU 55 (CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED, SLIDER)
On both sides this coin is close to mint state. Only the slightest signs of wear will be detectable and the coin usually has nice luster.
OBVERSE: There is very slight rub on Liberty cheek and a few light wear lines in the field. NOTE: O-mint coins generally lack sharp hair detail on the forehead.
REVERSE: A few light wear lines will show in the field. Wing tips will be complete, unless softly struck. O-mint coins often lack detail in a vertical path running through the right corner of the shield and eagles left to our right) claw.
MS 60-70 (MINT STATE)
This coin has not been in circulation, but may have picked up marks from mishandling, sliding album pages, or stacking. Halves are heavy and bag marks are generally significant. “Dipped’ coins may qualify for mint state, but not those which have been mechanically cleaned. Surfaces of the latter have been impared and signs of wear may be obliterated.
Toning subdues luster and can hide friction. Such coins are difficult to grade and sometimes fool professionals. Relying on third-party grading is recommended for coins grading MS 63 and higher and for lower grade uncirculated coins when there is a large price difference between grades.
OBVERSE: Liberty’s cheek may show light lines or marks. The fields may have ‘hits” or scratches, but light lines in the fields are usually a sign of circulation (and/or cleaning). Luster should be uniform and unbroken throughout the fields and devices.
REVERSE: There must be no sign of circulation. If not dark, the coin will be lustrous.
NOTE It is easier to determine if the coin is mint state from the obverse than the reverse, because of the plain cheek.