Numismatic

1901 Barber Half Dollar AG

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This 1901 half dollar represents a classic era of United States silver coinage, minted at the Philadelphia facility. Struck in 0.900 fine silver with a precious metal weight of 0.3575 troy ounces, this fifty-cent piece shows the extensive wear and honest circulation typical of an Almost Good grade. Despite its long journey through commerce, the essential elements of its historic design remain visible, offering a tangible connection to the turn of the twentieth century. The obverse displays the profile of Lady Liberty, envisioned by designer Charles Barber. She wears a laurel wreath atop her head along with a traditional Phrygian cap. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is positioned above her, with the year 1901 anchored at the bottom. This imagery captures the artistic style that dominated American pocket change during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stretches its wings wide, protecting a shield positioned across its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a decorative banner, while its talons grasp an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing both peace and readiness. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the "HALF DOLLAR" denomination frame this powerful national emblem.