1913 Barber Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1913 Barber Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915 series — a late issue, 22nd of 24 years in the series. In 1913, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver Mints with a combined mintage of 1.3 million. This represents the second-lowest annual mintage in the series, below the series median of 4.9 million. The obverse features Liberty facing right wearing a Phrygian cap topped by a laurel wreath, with the word LIBERTY on a headband and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Produced during the Progressive Era, when President Theodore Roosevelt championed a renaissance in American coin design that produced some of the most beautiful coins ever struck. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Struck one year before the 1914 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $49 to $2.9K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $43K in MS67 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Charles E. Barber.