Numismatic

1909-O Barber Half Dollar Good

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The 1909 Barber half dollar represents a fascinating era in United States coinage, minted during the final year of operations at the historic New Orleans Mint. Struck from 90 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Despite its heavily circulated Good condition, the coin retains the recognizable outlines of its classic turn-of-the-century imagery. Designed by Charles Barber, the obverse features a profile of Lady Liberty. She is depicted wearing a traditional Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath, with the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" visible above her head and the 1909 date positioned below. The reverse side displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, bearing a protective shield on its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a decorative banner, while its talons grasp an olive branch and a cluster of arrows, symbolizing both peace and readiness. The distinctive "O" mint mark of the New Orleans facility is located beneath the eagle, marking this coin as a product of the legendary Southern mint.