Owner Comments:
CAC. This superb half dollar is toned in a blend of soft pearl gray patina and more vivid rose-apricot iridescence. The surfaces are lustrous and a joy to behold, a treasure for its next owner. Among mintmarked Barber half dollars from the 20th century, few are as rare as the 1902-S. A mintage of 1,460,670 pieces only tells part of the story, for this issue seems to have suffered a higher rate of attrition through circulation than many of its contemporaries from the West Coast facility. Dave Bowers (2019) notes that, "This is among the scarcer issues in circulated grades, especially in F-12 or above." Writing for PCGS CoinFacts, Ron Guth echoes this sentiment when he observes: "The 1902-S Half Dollar is one of the most underrated dates in the series. Based on the PCGS Population Report alone, the 1902-S has the smallest total population of any date except for the 1892-O [Micro O]."
Narrowing the focus to the finest Mint State grades, Dave Bowers describes the 1902-S as, "Another rare 20th-century half dollar at the gem level -- another of many challenges." We are pleased to once again offer this Condition Census Gem for the consideration of advanced Barber half dollar enthusiasts. It is a sharply struck, exceptionally well preserved coin with an impressive provenance, one that extends all the way back to the San Francisco Mint in the year of issue.
Provenance: John M. Clapp acquired directly from the San Francisco Mint, March 1902; John H. Clapp; Clapp estate purchased by Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Bowers and Merena's sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, April 1997, lot 2096. Purchased by Larry H. Miller for $10,450 (as Raw MS65/MS66) on April 8, 1997. Purchased by me from the Miller sale (Stack's Bowers), December 2020. That means this coin has only had 4 owners over nearly 120 years!