U.S. Mint coin reference

1892–1915: Barber Half Dollar (90% Silver)

Barber Half Dollar Classic 90% silver Barber half dollar.

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Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1892-1915

Country: United States

Denomination: Half dollar

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Silver fineness: 90%

Silver weight: 0.3617 oz ASW

Weight: 12.50 g

Diameter: 30.6 mm

Thickness: 2.15 mm

Edge: Reeded

Designer: Charles E. Barber

Design identification

Obverse: Liberty Head portrait by Charles E. Barber.

1892–1915: Barber Half Dollar (90% Silver) history

1892–1915: Barber Half Dollar (90% Silver) replaced the Seated Liberty half dollar with Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head design. The .900-silver, 12.50-gram standard and heraldic eagle reverse continued through 1915.

Mintmark location, date, strike at Liberty’s hair and the eagle, and original surfaces guide attribution. Several branch-mint issues are condition rarities even when their mintages are not the lowest.