Superb Multi-Colored Gem 1912-S
A superb gem, this 1912-S Barber 10c retains its full, original luster with a strong cartwheel visible under vivid multi-colored toning. Pastel green, magenta, and pale blue are dominant, with russet and olive more visible on the reverse. Boldly struck, with all of the finest details exhibited in strong relief, and surfaces that show only the most trivial disturbance under strong magnification, this MS67+ closely approaches the MS68 grade.
Within the Barber Dime series, 1912-S becomes relatively scarce in XF to AU, and a grade rarity in upper Mint State with less than a dozen solidly in the Gem class. As recently as April 2015, the PCGS Population stood at 7 as MS66, a single iffy MS66+, and this finest known MS67. Today, PCGS reports two more graded MS66, another MS66+, and a second MS67 – a significant jump in population from no more than a change in grading practices. This 1912-S Dime stands as the first and only true MS67, and the clear finest known, followed by the much more recent PCGS/CAC MS67 #34532761.
PCGS #06666269
Provenance
Heritage Auctions, September 2003, lot 6463 at $12,075 as PCGS MS67 #50051434 to Legend Numismatics for the “Law” Collection; privately, Legend Numismatics to Bob Simpson; Legend Auctions, November 2014, lot 125 at $21,150 as PCGS/CAC MS67 #06666269 to Stewart Blay.