Numismatic

1905 Barber Half Dollar VF

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The year 1905 saw the production of this silver half dollar, a piece that showcases the distinctive artistry of the era. Struck with a composition containing 0.3575 troy ounces of silver, this coin has survived in Very Fine condition, allowing observers to appreciate the finer points of its design. The coin was designed by Charles Barber, whose work defined the look of United States silver coinage at the turn of the twentieth century. On the obverse, the profile of Lady Liberty is depicted wearing a classic Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath. The word LIBERTY is visible on her band, while the motto IN GOD WE TRUST arches above her head, flanked by stars with the date 1905 anchored at the bottom. This side of the coin presents a traditional representation of American ideals, rendered with clean, bold lines. The reverse displays a powerful heraldic eagle with its wings spread wide. A shield protects its chest, and the bird holds a banner inscribed with E PLURIBUS UNUM in its beak. In its talons, the eagle grasps both an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing a readiness for peace or war. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination HALF DOLLAR frame this intricate central image, completing a design that remains a highlight of early twentieth-century coinage.