A nice solid example with attractive color, and a much tougher coin.  Scarce with CAC approval, due to the factors discussed below (read if you are interested).  47 combined at PCGS/NGC versus only 5 at CAC (Zero CACG).

A date known for a “funky” strike, caused by some unknown minor hub change that strengthened “LIBERTY” on all 1909 issues regardless of Mint.  As a result, due to the traditional grading guides concentrating on that feature to separate coins in VG+ to EF grades, many 1909 dated Barber Halves are overgraded (in my opinion), certainly as raw coins.   As a result, for the 1909-O more coins certified in VG-10 to F-15 than you would expect for a date with a Mintage less than 1 Million, despite potential hoarding as the result of the New Orleans Mint closing this year (the “last year of issue” factor).  For instance, both the exceedingly common 1908-O Half (Mintage roughly 6x higher than the 1909 issue) and the 1909-O have the same 68 coins certified at NGC from VG-10 to F-15, with PCGS weighing in at 206 for the 1909-O and 162 for the 1908-O.  That disparity is not particularly explained by differences in value, as the 1909-O is not really worth enough more other than in the grade of Fine-15 to account for the numbers.  More likely this is an example of “sharpies” knowing how PCGS (especially) will grade these, purchasing coins as a “VG” and submitting them to get a Fine+.  NOT a problem with the coin offered here.

PCGS 6517.30/52065433