GEM BU 1892 WORLD'S COLUMBIAN COMMEMORATIVE HALF DOLLAR

Grading, despite the vast number of coins and medals slabbed in recen years, is just as annoying and subjective as it ever has been. In the long past days when BU, Choice BU and Gem BU seemed enough, assigning numeric grades whether by collectors, dealers OR authenticators/graders with NGC, PCGS or ANACS is a continuing point of subjective disagreement.

I find it quite easy to call this a "gem;" when looking at comparable slabbed Columbian halves I find no difference between this example and a slabbed 64 or 65.

Unlike some collectors I am not wedded to third party grading, especially when one can see quite dramatic differences in identical grades from the same service. This coin compares favorable to both 64s and 65s from both PCGS and NGC. As always, I would strongly suggest that you grade every coin or medal yourself and don't presuppose any grade from a third party. We have all experienced too many of the vagaries of subjective grading and a graded coin being 1 or 2 points off--up OR down--from our own.

This is a gem BU and quite lovely Columbian Half, and the lower mintage 1892 versus 1893. It also has very nice blue and orange toning on the peripheries; if you are wedded to those pure white coins, regardless of the grade, this one is not for you. If you appreciate this modest toning as I do, then it's indeed a bargain and the right coin for you.