Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915)

Coinage of Barber Half Dollars was steady, with only a few low mintage issues. For the date and mint collector, none of these are major obstacles, though several dates are scarce in the higher grades. Since half dollars saw less turnover than the smaller silver pieces, there is a greater percentage of Barber Half Dollars surviving in the mid-grades than is the case with Barber Dimes and Quarters. The marketing of inexpensive coin boards beginning in the mid-1930s came just in time to save many Barber Half Dollars from becoming worn slick.

For 1892 to 1915 Barber half dollars, variety collectors have little from which to choose, though this series has not been examined as thoroughly as earlier types. The most desirable Barber Half Dollar mintmark variety is the 1892-O with Micro O mintmark. A punch intended for the quarter dollar was used to mark just a single reverse die, and this variety is rare in any grade.