Coin Identifier
Barber Quarter or Barber Half Dollar — obverse
Obverse
Barber Quarter or Barber Half Dollar — reverse
Reverse
25 Cents or 50 Cents

Barber Quarter or Barber Half Dollar

United States of America · 1892-1916

A classic silver US coin featuring a bust of Liberty on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse, designed by Charles E. Barber.

Country
United States of America
Year
1892-1916
Denomination
25 Cents or 50 Cents
Metal
90% Silver, 10% Copper

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

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Overview

A classic silver US coin featuring a bust of Liberty on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse, designed by Charles E. Barber.

Historical significance

Named after its designer Charles E. Barber, these coins were the workhorse of American commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Obverse (front)

Head of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath, with 'LIBERTY' on a headband. Legends: 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 13 stars, and the date.

Reverse (back)

Heraldic eagle based on the Great Seal of the United States, clutching an olive branch and arrows. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'QUARTER DOLLAR' or 'HALF DOLLAR'.

Estimated value

$10-$25 in heavily worn condition; substantially more for key dates or high grades.

What drives this coin's value

The specific date and mint mark are the primary value drivers, followed by the degree of wear (grade).

Grade assessment

About Good to Good (AG-3 to G-4). Significant wear is present, with the devices merged into the fields and the mottoes barely readable.

Mintage & rarity

Varies by year and mint; most are common in low grades, but 1901-S and 1913-S are major rarities for quarters.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for silver weight and diameter; look for 'seams' on the edge which indicate a cast counterfeit.

Notable varieties & errors

1892-O 'Micro O' Half Dollar is a famous rarity; various doubled dies exist across the series.

Similar coins

Barber Dimes share the same obverse design but are smaller and have a wreath on the reverse.

Care & preservation

Do not clean or polish, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in an acid-free holder (flip or cabinet) to prevent further environmental damage.