Numismatic

1896-S Barber Half Dollar Good

---

Struck in the final years of the nineteenth century, this 1896 silver half dollar represents a classic era of American coinage. Minted at the San Francisco facility, the coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. It bears the distinctive marks of a long journey through commerce, showing worn details and a rim that may display slight wear, which is characteristic of its graded Good condition. The obverse presents the profile of Lady Liberty, who wears a laurel wreath atop a Phrygian cap, an ancient symbol of freedom. Above her head, the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" remains visible, while the year 1896 is stamped below her portrait. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stretches its wings wide, protecting a shield positioned at its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a ribbon, while its talons grasp both an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing the dual themes of peace and readiness. This enduring design was created by Charles Barber, leaving a lasting legacy on United States coinage.