Numismatic

1914-S Barber Half Dollar AG

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The 1914-S Barber Half Dollar represents a fascinating moment in United States coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this fifty-cent piece belongs to a total mintage of 992,000 examples. Composed of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Even in an Almost Good state of preservation, the essential elements of Charles Barber's classic turn-of-the-century design remain recognizable, offering a tangible connection to early twentieth-century commerce. On the obverse side, the profile of Lady Liberty faces right, adorned with a traditional laurel wreath and a Phrygian cap. The year 1914 is visible at the bottom of the design, while the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" arches above her head. This side of the coin captures the artistic preferences of the era, presenting a strong, classical representation of liberty. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with wings spread wide, protecting a shield on its chest. In its beak, the eagle holds a ribbon, while its talons grasp an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing both peace and readiness. The San Francisco mint mark, a small "S", is positioned below the eagle, indicating its origin at the western mint. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR" frame this powerful national symbol.