Numismatic

1894-S Barber Half Dollar Fair

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This 1894 silver half dollar, struck at the San Francisco Mint, carries the distinct character of a coin that spent decades in active circulation. Minted with a silver purity of 90 percent, it contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. As a coin graded in Fair condition, its surfaces display significant wear, with the outer rims and design details heavily softened by the passage of time and the touch of countless hands. The obverse features Charles Barber's depiction of Lady Liberty, who wears a laurel wreath and a Phrygian cap. On the reverse, an eagle spreads its wings wide, holding a defensive shield against its chest. In its beak, the eagle grasps a ribbon, while its talons clutch an olive branch and a bundle of arrows. The mint mark 'S' is located on the reverse, identifying its origin at the historic California mint.