Numismatic

1900-O Barber Half Dollar VG

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Struck at the historic New Orleans Mint at the turn of the twentieth century, this 1900 silver half dollar represents a classic era of American coinage. With a purity of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. It survives today in Very Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that circulated actively in the daily commerce of its time. The obverse features a profile of Liberty facing right, adorned with a laurel wreath and a Phrygian cap, a traditional symbol of freedom. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed above her, with the year 1900 anchored at the bottom. This design, along with the reverse, was created by Charles Barber, whose work defined the look of late nineteenth and early twentieth century United States silver currency. On the reverse, a majestic eagle is depicted with wings spread wide, protecting a shield across its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a banner displaying the patriotic motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Its talons grasp both an olive branch of peace and a cluster of arrows, representing strength and defense. The "O" mint mark of the New Orleans facility is positioned below the eagle, just above the denomination of "HALF DOLLAR".