1913 Barber Half Dollar

The 1913 Philadelphia half dollar is one of the scarcer regular-issue dates in the Barber series, standing alongside dates like 1904-S and 1914 as the coins that make completing a full Barber half dollar collection a genuine challenge.

It shares the same Charles Barber design used throughout the series' run from 1892 to 1915.

Silver half dollar demand was relatively low in the early 1910s, and the Philadelphia mint's 1913 production reflects that lull. As with several other low-mintage dates from this era, the shortfall wasn't recognized as historically significant until decades later when collector demand for complete Barber sets grew.

Obverse: Barber's laureate Liberty head facing right, "LIBERTY" on the headband, stars around, date below.

Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, arrows, and olive branch, flanked by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "HALF DOLLAR," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."

Mintmarks appear on the reverse beneath the eagle. The Philadelphia strike shows no mintmark, while Denver and San Francisco coins show a small "D" or "S" in that location; the Philadelphia coin is the one prized as the key date.

Because of its low mintage, the 1913 Philadelphia half dollar brings a solid premium over common Barber half dates even in heavily worn condition, with values rising substantially in higher circulated and mint state grades.