Barber Half Dollar Value

"S" Mintmark: San Francisco Mint

San Francisco mint struck the second largest amount of Barber halves. Each year of the series San Francisco produced as least 500,000 halves, totaling over 37 million. Many of these branch mints coins are available in circulated and mint state grades and wide range in values. Significant years are the early 1890's few were saved in any condition.

On the reverse the "S" mintmark of San Francisco is under the tail feathers.

"O" Mintmark: New Orleans Mint

New Orleans help launch the Barber half dollars series striking 390,000 in 1892. This initial year is now a very scarce coin, worth in the hundreds of dollars. New Orleans continued striking halves each year until 1909. Total production just over 31 million halves. Second lowest mintage New Orleans half dollar is 1905 505,000 pieces and affordable.

New Orleans placed an "O" mintmark under the eagle on the reverse. Note: Careful examination is needed; the "D" of Denver is similar in appearance.

"D" Mintmark: Denver Mint

Denver was a new mint in 1906, with a focus on silver and gold issues. It started strong with over 4 million Barber halves, striking the largest total of all mints in 1906. Its production was sporadic, and missing years 1909, 1910, and 1914 until the end of the series. It finished with the lowest total of all mints; 15.8 million halves struck. Today these are available in low grades and become collectible in Fine and above.

A "D" under the tail feathers of the eagle on the reverse identifies the Denver mint coinage. Note: Look closely, the "O" of New Orleans mint is similar. Years 1906, 1907, and 1908 both mints struck half dollars.

No Mintmark: Philadelphia Mint

Philadelphia is the original mint of the US. Over 55 million Barber halve were struck by Philadelphia, largest number of any mint. Stand-out dates are interestingly the last years; 1913, 1914, and 1915. Mintages were low, less than 200,000 each year, and low numbers available today.

During the Barber half dollar series, the Philadelphia mint did not use a mintmark. No mintmark in the area below the tail feathers of the eagle and above "DO" in Dollar is a coin struck at Philadelphia.

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: To qualify as Mint State grade; no wear is seen on the surface of the coin. High areas and open areas are inspected to determine if a coin has circulated and received any loss of metal.

Liberty's cheek line - an open area - remains covered with original luster. From the chin to ear the surface is a consistent texture.

Fine lines of hair are just above Liberty's eye and prone to wear. All hair curls and waves remain without any dullness caused by wear.

The Liberty cap features a large fold and just above the cap remains with a luster and texture matching the rest of the cap.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Mint luster is a delicate surface allowing a coin to shine and shimmer in light. This fine grain surface shows wear by a smoothness and dulling to the surface. Judging areas prone to wear determines the Mint State condition. Many fine details are present in the eagle central to the reverse.

Wear occurs first towards the center of a coin. Inspect the neck feathers just above the shield. These small details remain with a texture similar to texture deep within the details of the wings.

Along the top edges of both wings no evidence of smoothing to the metal is evident. Continue to the very tips of the wings as you judge for wear.

Look closely at the fine details found in the tail feathers. No smooth spots are evident and a nice texture of luster remains.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: An Extremely Fine Grade Barber half displays just minor wear. This wear is confined to just the tops and small areas of the design.

A universal marker defining the grade is all letters of "Liberty" are clearly visible on the head band just above the forehead.

Also important is a bold edge to the ribbon displaying the letters of "Liberty". Both top and bottom edges remain complete along their length. Note: due to striking differences the bottom edge is often faint below the letters "E and R". If the lower band is weak below "ER" the rest of the surfaces must present as Extremely Fine in condition.

Laure leaves tied with a ribbon are bold, wear is evident but flattening is only at the ends. Edges of leaves are bold and well defined, separate of hair.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A bold eagle remains, large amounts of detail represent feathers, and distinct claws are holding an olive branch and arrows.

Wear is showing on the Eagle's neck feathers. Flatness is confined to just two small disconnected areas at the top of the neck contour.

Alone the upper edges of the outstretched wings are areas of flat metal extending from the shield to wing tips. The majority of flatness is along the upper edge.

Feathers are clearly defined with no merging of feather lines.

Claws remain with the majority of their contours defining the leg from the claw.

Looking closely at the arrow shafts, all are separated from claw to arrow points.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Moderate wear is visible over entire surface. Major details remain; however, many finer lines and features are worn smooth.

Identifying the Fine grade is all letters of "Liberty" in the headband visible. Bottoms of letters are faded in places, notably "E and R".

Liberty's hair line below the ribbon is smooth with a few strands of hair visible.

Upper laurel leaves are well defined with distinct edges. No merging with the cap

Lower laurel leaves have just begun to merge with Liberty's temple area and hair above eye brow.

Flatness to her cheek is minor. A bold separation remains from neck to cheek.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Wear has reduced the eagle design with most wear towards the outer edges. Central areas of the eagle are well detailed.

Notice a continuous smooth zone from the head of the eagle to the shield. This flat spot only involves the central part of the neck leaving a raised contour to the field of the coin.

Wings are smooth towards the tips of wings with many feather details near the shield.

Horizontal lines within shield are weak or missing, especially along the top and right corner.

Minor blending of arrow shafts is seen.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A strong portrait of Liberty remains, well outlined and bold from the field.

Letters of "Liberty" and the headband are now smooth and continuous with forehead.

A few traces of leaves are visible above the ear.

Stars are complete and raised from the field. Rim is separated from stars.

Letters of legend are complete with fading only near the rim.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Good grade Barber halves are well detailed on the reverse. Fading and blending of design elements is minimal.

A fully outlined eagle remains. Wing tips are clearly defined and separate of rim.

Lettering along the rim is mostly clear with only minor fading.

Rim is defined in most areas and merging with letters is confined to tops of letters only.

More Half Dollar Value Charts

Discover the value of all your old half dollars. From the very first Bust half dollars to Seated Liberty to Barber halves. Continue to the Walking Liberty and Franklin Half dollars. Compare your coins to the "Grading Images" and find their accurate value on the charts.