According to David Akers, this is "a very underrated issue." Overall, the rarity of the 98-S only ranks about 30th amongst the Barber halves, but at the MS65 gem grade - the estimate for survival is only 30 pieces, truly an R-8 or better coin. There are (11) MS65 coins graded at PCGS with (7) finer examples. Anybody trying to construct a set knows how expensive this gets at MS66. It is a fantastic piece with great eye appeal and superb toning.