Numismatic

1897 Barber Half Dollar AG

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The year 1897 saw the production of this silver half dollar, a fifty-cent piece that represents the classic era of late nineteenth-century United States coinage. Struck in 90 percent silver, this coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Having circulated through the hands of everyday Americans, this piece is preserved in Almost Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that actively served the economy of its time. Designed by Charles Barber, the obverse of the coin showcases a profile of Lady Liberty. She wears a traditional Phrygian cap paired with a laurel wreath, a powerful symbol of freedom and victory. Above her head, the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed, framing the portrait alongside the 1897 date at the bottom. The reverse of the half dollar features a detailed heraldic eagle with its wings fully spread. A protective shield is positioned across the eagle's chest, while its beak holds a flowing banner. In its talons, the eagle grasps both an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing a dual commitment to peace and defense.