USA ½ dollar Barber Half Dollar 1903
USA, New Orleans
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 116 |
| Mintage | 2,100,000 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| thickness | 1.8 mm |
| diameter | 30.6 mm |
| weight | 12.5 g |
Obverse:
Liberty
Star
Creators:
Charles Edward Barber
IN GOD WE TRUST
Reverse:
Coat of arms
Description:
Eagle (heraldry)
Creators:
Charles Edward Barber
E PLURIBUS UNUM
HALF DOLLAR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
Despite a fairly high mintage, the 1903-O half dollar is moderately scarce in the better circulated grades. Mint State pieces are not truly rare, but gems are in short supply. The typical example is weakly struck at Liberty's forehead and at the junction of the shield with the eagle's left (viewer's right) wing. As with several O-Mint Barber Halves, this issue is also found with "mumps," a sinking of the obverse die that results in a raised area at Liberty's neck. The New Orleans Mint was not particularly adept at heat treating its dies and planchets, and these deficiencies account for the many poorly struck coins known. David Lawrence reported both Regular and Open O mintmarks, but the latter was just the result of a die state illusion. Only a single punch was employed for the year.Read More
