Numismatic

1898-S Barber Half Dollar Good

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The 1898 Barber half dollar represents a classic era of United States coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 90 percent. Despite showing the wear of a coin graded in Good condition, the essential elements of its distinct nineteenth-century design remain visible, offering a tangible connection to the late 1800s. On the obverse, the design by Charles Barber features a profile of Lady Liberty. She wears a traditional Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath, surrounded by stars with the date 1898 positioned at the bottom. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed above her portrait. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, bearing a shield across its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a banner, while its talons grasp an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing both peace and readiness. The mint mark "S" is located below the eagle, indicating its origin from the San Francisco facility.