Barber Half Dollar 1892—1915

The Barber Half Dollar, also known as the Liberty Head Half Dollar, is a coin that was minted in the United States from 1892 to 1915. It was designed by Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time.

The Barber Half Dollar was introduced as part of a coinage redesign in the early 1890s. The obverse features the head of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap, with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed above. The reverse depicts an eagle with outstretched wings, holding a shield on its chest, and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR" surrounding it.

The Barber Half Dollar was minted for a total of 24 years, from 1892 to 1915. It was produced at the main mint facilities in Philadelphia (no mintmark), New Orleans (O mintmark), San Francisco (S mintmark), and occasionally in Denver (D mintmark).

Throughout its production, the Barber Half Dollar had a few notable varieties and mintmarks. One of the most famous varieties is the 1892-O Micro O, where the mintmark is smaller than usual. Other notable varieties include the 1892-S Over D and the 1905 Micro S. Mintmarks can be found on the reverse, below the eagle.

The Barber Half Dollar saw extensive circulation during its time, and millions of coins were produced each year. They were used in everyday commerce, and many examples entered circulation, resulting in worn or damaged coins being common.

The design of the Barber Half Dollar received mixed reviews from the public and numismatic community. Some critics felt that Barber's design lacked artistic appeal and compared it unfavorably to the earlier designs by Charles Morgan and George T. Morgan (of Morgan Silver Dollar fame).

The Barber Half Dollar was replaced by the Walking Liberty Half Dollar in 1916. The new design, created by Adolph A. Weinman, was preferred for its more artistic and dynamic portrayal of Liberty.

Today, Barber Half Dollars are collected by numismatists and coin enthusiasts. They are valued not only for their silver content but also for their historical significance and artistic appeal. Well-preserved examples and coins with rare varieties or mintmarks can command higher prices in the numismatic market.

Key Dates

1892-O Micro O: This variety features a smaller mintmark ("O") above the eagle on the reverse. It is highly sought after by collectors.

1892-S: The first year of mintage for the Barber Half Dollar series. It is considered a key date due to its low mintage.

1894: Another low-mintage year, making it one of the scarcer dates in the series.

1897-O: The New Orleans Mint struck a relatively low number of Barber Half Dollars this year, making it a desirable date for collectors.

1901-S: This coin has a lower mintage compared to other dates, especially those from the Philadelphia Mint.

1904-S: Another key date, as it has a relatively low mintage and is sought after by collectors.

1913-S: The San Francisco Mint produced a limited number of Barber Half Dollars in this year, making it a scarce date.