Barber Half Dollar Values
How Much Barber Half Dollars are Worth: Barber Half Dollar Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $71 | $103 | $177 | $252 | $334 | $641 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $3,155.00 |
| 1892 | O | Micro O | -- | $7,410.00 | $10,950.00 | $13,438.00 | $16,950.00 | $19,550.00 | $34,150.00 | $46,050.00 | $61,400.00 | $83,000.00 | $99,600.00 |
| 1892 | O | -- | -- | $566 | $638 | $718 | $863 | $975 | $1,411.00 | $2,055.00 | $2,795.00 | $3,915.00 | $11,870.00 |
| 1892 | S | -- | -- | $403 | $498 | $677 | $848 | $1,098.00 | $1,643.00 | $2,530.00 | $3,195.00 | $7,175.00 | $9,070.00 |
| 1893 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $63 | $103 | $189 | $277 | $447 | $764 | $1,054.00 | $1,438.00 | $2,805.00 | $4,745.00 |
| 1893 | O | -- | -- | $120 | $201 | $273 | $417 | $517 | $817 | $1,224.00 | $1,645.00 | $8,545.00 | $10,150.00 |
| 1893 | S | -- | -- | $358 | $615 | $863 | $1,385.00 | $1,753.00 | $2,754.00 | $4,465.00 | $5,279.00 | $15,995.00 | $32,650.00 |
| 1894 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $69 | $132 | $213 | $285 | $386 | $789 | $1,150.00 | $1,530.00 | $2,872.00 | $5,230.00 |
| 1894 | O | -- | -- | $63 | $109 | $194 | $295 | $472 | $844 | $1,314.00 | $1,618.00 | $7,175.00 | $11,700.00 |
| 1894 | S | -- | -- | $62 | $104 | $189 | $307 | $411 | $794 | $1,688.00 | $2,350.00 | $6,275.00 | $9,900.00 |
| 1895 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $61 | $93 | $184 | $277 | $372 | $677 | $1,021.00 | $1,472.00 | $2,885.00 | $4,800.00 |
| 1895 | O | -- | -- | $81 | $154 | $208 | $333 | $486 | $1,158.00 | $1,965.00 | $2,525.00 | $6,638.00 | $16,495.00 |
| 1895 | S | -- | -- | $140 | $250 | $384 | $628 | $755 | $1,323.00 | $2,670.00 | $3,305.00 | $5,850.00 | $13,550.00 |
| 1896 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $64 | $117 | $202 | $277 | $441 | $755 | $1,125.00 | $1,825.00 | $2,585.00 | $8,850.00 |
| 1896 | O | -- | -- | $118 | $252 | $638 | $2,725.00 | $3,965.00 | $10,700.00 | $17,550.00 | $23,500.00 | $33,250.00 | $48,100.00 |
| 1896 | S | -- | -- | $201 | $414 | $769 | $1,385.00 | $1,689.00 | $2,793.00 | $3,525.00 | $4,410.00 | $6,360.00 | $13,800.00 |
| 1897 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $56 | $90 | $175 | $252 | $340 | $652 | $1,245.00 | $1,613.00 | $3,043.00 | $6,800.00 |
| 1897 | O | -- | -- | $230 | $458 | $979 | $1,783.00 | $2,275.00 | $3,650.00 | $5,420.00 | $7,138.00 | $12,125.00 | $15,050.00 |
| 1897 | S | -- | -- | $237 | $354 | $573 | $1,293.00 | $1,925.00 | $3,195.00 | $3,888.00 | $4,675.00 | $6,638.00 | $11,175.00 |
| 1898 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $55 | $80 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $945 | $1,408.00 | $2,050.00 | $5,213.00 |
| 1898 | O | -- | -- | $126 | $294 | $508 | $790 | $1,034.00 | $1,668.00 | $2,530.00 | $3,250.00 | $5,820.00 | $10,925.00 |
| 1898 | S | -- | -- | $79 | $132 | $195 | $419 | $589 | $1,700.00 | $2,558.00 | $3,145.00 | $7,050.00 | $12,495.00 |
| 1899 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $54 | $70 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $2,201.00 | $6,000.00 |
| 1899 | O | -- | -- | $66 | $139 | $202 | $295 | $397 | $1,158.00 | $2,028.00 | $4,025.00 | $10,495.00 | $12,500.00 |
| 1899 | S | -- | -- | $64 | $119 | $202 | $285 | $443 | $1,090.00 | $2,345.00 | $3,695.00 | $4,910.00 | $6,310.00 |
| 1900 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $54 | $60 | $160 | $252 | $340 | $652 | $975 | $1,408.00 | $3,070.00 | $4,550.00 |
| 1900 | O | -- | -- | $62 | $100 | $198 | $389 | $549 | $1,838.00 | $4,465.00 | $6,275.00 | $11,700.00 | $33,495.00 |
| 1900 | S | -- | -- | $60 | $103 | $188 | $328 | $436 | $1,037.00 | $2,530.00 | $3,393.00 | $7,800.00 | $11,475.00 |
| 1901 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $53 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $2,033.00 | $6,125.00 |
| 1901 | O | -- | -- | $45 | $215 | $393 | $1,203.00 | $1,700.00 | $2,198.00 | $4,175.00 | $5,130.00 | $13,550.00 | $25,575.00 |
| 1901 | S | -- | -- | $143 | $331 | $569 | $1,438.00 | $2,195.00 | $5,300.00 | $7,565.00 | $9,680.00 | $11,090.00 | $17,225.00 |
| 1902 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $54 | $55 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,408.00 | $2,152.00 | $5,725.00 |
| 1902 | O | -- | -- | $55 | $65 | $179 | $345 | $486 | $1,140.00 | $2,055.00 | $4,013.00 | $8,025.00 | $18,995.00 |
| 1902 | S | -- | -- | $67 | $230 | $248 | $448 | $688 | $1,788.00 | $2,725.00 | $4,165.00 | $4,968.00 | $8,175.00 |
| 1903 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $56 | $93 | $177 | $252 | $340 | $668 | $1,528.00 | $2,007.00 | $4,148.00 | $8,910.00 |
| 1903 | O | -- | -- | $55 | $90 | $184 | $290 | $464 | $974 | $1,535.00 | $2,283.00 | $4,355.00 | $10,375.00 |
| 1903 | S | -- | -- | $40 | $99 | $204 | $378 | $563 | $1,125.00 | $2,115.00 | $3,125.00 | $4,245.00 | $9,215.00 |
| 1904 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $87 | $200 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $3,355.00 | $6,775.00 |
| 1904 | O | -- | -- | $45 | $135 | $324 | $650 | $1,045.00 | $2,505.00 | $4,315.00 | $7,150.00 | $9,350.00 | $10,675.00 |
| 1904 | S | -- | -- | $130 | $443 | $977 | $2,672.00 | $5,888.00 | $11,875.00 | $18,250.00 | $20,875.00 | $27,850.00 | $62,800.00 |
| 1905 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $65 | $119 | $217 | $340 | $489 | $780 | $1,253.00 | $2,329.00 | $4,865.00 | $6,205.00 |
| 1905 | O | -- | -- | $74 | $212 | $348 | $489 | $730 | $1,550.00 | $2,200.00 | $2,490.00 | $4,010.00 | $5,743.00 |
| 1905 | S | -- | -- | $35 | $96 | $177 | $295 | $436 | $858 | $1,592.00 | $3,665.00 | $6,565.00 | $9,650.00 |
| 1906 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $53 | $87 | $150 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $2,879.00 | $5,785.00 |
| 1906 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $60 | $150 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,997.00 | $5,310.00 |
| 1906 | O | -- | -- | $54 | $60 | $170 | $293 | $460 | $1,194.00 | $1,950.00 | $2,780.00 | $5,905.00 | $9,100.00 |
| 1906 | S | -- | -- | $58 | $123 | $197 | $269 | $451 | $1,250.00 | $1,778.00 | $2,370.00 | $3,555.00 | $6,405.00 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $2,167.00 | $3,930.00 |
| 1907 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $55 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $961 | $1,430.00 | $2,255.00 | $3,570.00 |
| 1907 | O | -- | -- | $30 | $50 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $961 | $1,408.00 | $1,972.00 | $6,285.00 |
| 1907 | S | -- | -- | $68 | $134 | $226 | $470 | $995 | $3,305.00 | $4,868.00 | $5,365.00 | $8,100.00 | $15,350.00 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $4,715.00 |
| 1908 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $2,152.00 | $3,900.00 |
| 1908 | O | -- | -- | $54 | $55 | $169 | $247 | $323 | $638 | $948 | $1,395.00 | $2,027.00 | $3,238.00 |
| 1908 | S | -- | -- | $60 | $115 | $208 | $484 | $747 | $1,258.00 | $2,330.00 | $2,875.00 | $3,955.00 | $7,550.00 |
| 1909 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $55 | $200 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $3,238.00 |
| 1909 | O | -- | -- | $66 | $80 | $197 | $550 | $758 | $1,550.00 | $2,170.00 | $4,040.00 | $5,350.00 | $9,820.00 |
| 1909 | S | -- | -- | $55 | $45 | $169 | $352 | $552 | $952 | $1,488.00 | $2,240.00 | $4,135.00 | $8,200.00 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $101 | $202 | $386 | $462 | $870 | $1,225.00 | $1,715.00 | $2,890.00 | $4,745.00 |
| 1910 | S | -- | -- | $38 | $70 | $172 | $313 | $433 | $847 | $1,768.00 | $2,475.00 | $3,610.00 | $6,125.00 |
| 1911 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $50 | $150 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $5,090.00 |
| 1911 | D | -- | -- | $55 | $90 | $230 | $252 | $337 | $630 | $934 | $1,406.00 | $3,055.00 | $5,225.00 |
| 1911 | S | -- | -- | $54 | $55 | $177 | $306 | $538 | $1,285.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,585.00 | $3,450.00 | $6,235.00 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $30 | $53 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,395.00 | $1,972.00 | $5,630.00 |
| 1912 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,381.00 | $1,972.00 | $3,348.00 |
| 1912 | S | -- | -- | $54 | $60 | $174 | $253 | $359 | $696 | $1,131.00 | $1,825.00 | $3,900.00 | $7,050.00 |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $105 | $269 | $457 | $885 | $1,460.00 | $2,063.00 | $2,510.00 | $3,333.00 | $4,825.00 | $9,325.00 |
| 1913 | D | -- | -- | $62 | $80 | $194 | $332 | $422 | $717 | $1,084.00 | $1,460.00 | $2,600.00 | $9,400.00 |
| 1913 | S | -- | -- | $55 | $100 | $180 | $417 | $694 | $1,175.00 | $2,033.00 | $3,263.00 | $5,090.00 | $7,550.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $168 | $343 | $519 | $1,054.00 | $1,225.00 | $2,033.00 | $2,890.00 | $3,583.00 | $5,640.00 | $18,900.00 |
| 1914 | S | -- | -- | $35 | $60 | $188 | $274 | $473 | $744 | $1,258.00 | $1,695.00 | $2,808.00 | $8,575.00 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $120 | $280 | $430 | $679 | $1,020.00 | $1,563.00 | $2,815.00 | $3,430.00 | $4,730.00 | $7,400.00 |
| 1915 | D | -- | -- | $30 | $60 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $3,155.00 |
| 1915 | S | -- | -- | $54 | $87 | $169 | $241 | $323 | $624 | $934 | $1,353.00 | $1,917.00 | $3,905.00 |
History of the Barber Half Dollar
The Barber half dollar was minted from 1892 to 1915, and, with the Liberty-head motif, it formed a three-coined set alongside the Barber dime and quarter. This coin was designed by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.
Authorized as part of a late-19th-century redesign to replace the long-running Seated Liberty types, the Barber half dollar debuted in 1892. But Barber wasn’t meant to be the designer originally. When a public design contest failed to yield satisfactory results, mint officials turned to Barber.
The obverse shows Liberty in a Phrygian cap and laurel wreath with “In God We Trust above. The reverse carries a heraldic eagle with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” on a scroll and a denomination of “Half Dollar.”
Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the coin circulated widely in an era of hard, everyday use, which is why high-grade survivors are comparatively scarce. Production occurred at Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco throughout much of the run, with Denver joining in 1906. The series ended in 1915, when the mint adopted Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty design (1916). This change reflected a broader early-20th-century move toward more modern, artistic U.S. coinage.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Collectors discuss a few different types of rarity for Barber half dollars, including differences in die variety, business strikes of low mintage, and annual proofs.
- 1892-O “Micro O” is a Barber half dollar with a New Orleans mintmark punched with a quarter-size “O.” Just over fifty are confirmed as of 2003, and it’s widely regarded as the rarest coin in the Barber half series.
- 1914 (Philadelphia) is the lowest business-strike mintage with just 124,230 struck.
- 1915 (Philadelphia) and 1913 (Philadelphia) also have low business strike mintages with 138,000 and 188,000 struck, respectively.
- 1892-O (standard mintmark) is from the first year New Orleans issued 390,000 coins.
- 1892-S, 1893-S are better dates with a persistent demand.
- 1897-O & 1897-S are not ultra-low in mintage but are challenging to find in higher grades.
- Annual proofs were made with the scarcest being the 1914 Proof with just 380 pieces, the lowest proof mintage of the type.
Types of Collections
There are both common and creative ways for collectors to build sets of Barber Half Dollars. Your approach can be decided by your interest level, budget, and desire for rarities or strange details, but here are some core sets that are a good place to start for any collector.
- The complete Date–Mint Set (business strikes, 1892–1915) consists of one of every date and mintmark (P, O, S, D).
- The Basic Date Set (Philadelphia only) is one coin minted from the main mint for each year 1892–1915 from the main mint. This is a much cleaner checklist and an easier starting point.
- Another option is Mint-Focused Runs, organized by mintmark instead of year. This highlights how each mint’s strike, luster, and “personality” differ from the others.
- New Orleans (O): 1892–1909
- San Francisco (S): 1892–1915
- Denver (D): 1906–1915
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
Barber Half Dollars offer a practical entry point with many affordable circulated examples. Beginners can use this series to build skills by learning to distinguish original from cleaned surfaces, evaluate strike quality, and judge overall eye appeal. The series provides a clear progression, allowing new collectors to build confidence as they explore more challenging dates.
Advanced Collecting
For advanced collectors, Barber Half Dollars present deeper challenges, including condition rarities, key and semi-key dates, and proof issues that require experience and patience to locate. Specialists can pursue tougher coins and varieties, making the series a long-term collecting challenge with solid value potential.
Investment Potential
The Barber Half Dollar series offers a balanced mix of stable base value due to silver content and numismatic upside with rarity and condition. While not a “get rich quick” series, careful buying can offer solid long-term value. This is especially true if you position toward the rarer, high-quality examples rather than settling for worn commons.