Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915)
Mint Location: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver
Designer: Charles E. Barber
Composition: 90 silver; 10% copper
Weight: 12.5g
Edge Type: Reeded
The Barber Half Dollar depicts a head of Liberty facing right. She wears a pileus, a crown fashioned from an olive branch, and a small headband inscribed “Liberty”. On half dollar, the motto “In God We Trust” appears above her head; she is otherwise surrounded with 13 six-pointed stars and the date.
The reverse of the half dollar depicts a heraldic eagle, based on the Great Seal. The bird holds in its mouth a scroll inscribed “E Pluribus Unum” and in its right claws an olive branch; in its left it holds 13 arrows. Above the eagle are 13 five-pointed stars; it is surrounded by the name of the country and by the coin’s denomination.
Coin Values: The most sought after coins of this design are the 1892-O, 1892-S, 1893-S, 1897-O. 1897-S, 1914 and 1915. Most dates are found in Good to Very Good grades commonly. A slabbed 1907-D MS64 Barber Half Dollar sold for $1100 while a 1896-O MS64 Barber Half Dollar sold for $13,000.
1894 Barber Half Dollar