Numismatic

1913-D Barber Half Dollar Fine

---

The 1913 half dollar struck at the Denver Mint represents a fascinating moment in early twentieth-century American coinage. This silver piece, composed of 90 percent silver with a precious metal weight of 0.3575 troy ounces, is part of the celebrated series created by designer Charles Barber. With a relatively low production run of just 604,000 pieces, finding examples in any condition invites us to appreciate the artistry of an era long past. On the obverse, the coin displays a profile of Lady Liberty. She wears a laurel wreath atop her head alongside a traditional Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed above her image, with the year 1913 anchored at the bottom. The reverse side presents a heraldic eagle with wings spread wide, protecting a shield on its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a ribbon inscribed with "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Its talons grip an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing the dual ideals of peace and strength. The mint mark "D" is positioned on this side, indicating its origin at the Denver facility, surrounded by the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR".