1903-O Barber Half Dollar

Barber Half Dollar

1892–1915

The Barber Half Dollar is part of the classic Barber series designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The Barber Half Dollar replaced the Seated Liberty Half Dollar in 1892 and was followed by the Walking Liberty Half Dollar in 1916. Due to the short mintage period and small portion of coins saved from circulation, finding a Barber Half Dollar in extremely fine condition has become exceedingly rare with time.

Though the design was met with mixed reviews at the time, collectors today can appreciate the bold, detailed bust on the coin’s obverse. Also known as the Liberty Head Half Dollar, the Barber Half Dollar shares an identical design to the Barber Quarter, and a similar obverse to the Barber Dime.

The Barber Half Dollar obverse is completely identical to the quarter, which features Lady Liberty, facing right and wearing a Phrygian cap with a laurel wreath. On the wreath is a headband inscribed “LIBERTY” above her forehead. The minting date can be found below Liberty’s neck. Unlike the Barber Dime but similar to the quarter, the half dollar has “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed above her head and thirteen stars surrounding it. On the left side there are six stars and on the right side there are seven, together representing the thirteen original colonies.

On the reverse, a heraldic eagle with spread wings is in the center of the coin. The eagle holds an olive branch in its left claw and arrows in its right. Under the eagle’s tail is the mintmark for half dollars minted outside of Philadelphia. The eagle holds a scroll in its beak with the Latin phrase, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” inscribed on it. The inscriptions, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR,” create a circle around the rest of the design, with the former above the latter. Thirteen more stars fill the space between the top inscription and the eagle’s head.

Barber Half Dollars were minted in four different cities — Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and New Orleans. While the Philadelphia half dollars have no mint mark, “D” represents the Denver Mint, “S” represents the San Francisco Mint, and “O” represents the New Orleans Mint. There were 73 different combinations for date and mint mark with approximately 136 million coins stuck for circulation. Unlike the Barber Dime and Quarter, the Barber Half Dollar has no outwardly famous key dates. However, most notably the 1914 Barber Half Dollar had the lowest mintage in the series yet the 1904-S coin is the most difficult to find in uncirculated condition.

Specifications
Weight: 12.5 grams
Composition: 90% Silver (0.3617 troy oz), 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6mm
Edge: Reeded
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans