1909 Barber Half Dollar

1909 Barber half dollars are represented without Denver that year, meaning there are just three different business-strike issues, which excludes the proof example from that year. Only the 1909-O may prove to be somewhat difficult to locate in a decent grade of Good or better, while the 1909 and 1909-S are fairly common and about on par population wise with most other Barber halves from the second half of that decade. On another note, this would be the last year that the New Orleans mint would strike coins. The facility closed that year.

Below is a list of the various 1909 Barber halves, their mintages, and their values:

• 1909 – 2,368,000; $18

• 1909-O – 925,400; $23

• 1909-S – 1,764,000; $18

• 1909 proof – 650; $900

*Values are for coins in a grade of Good-4, unless otherwise noted.

1909 Barber halves are generally inexpensive enough in the lower grades for coin collectors on any budget to afford a specimen of this type, which was designed in 1891 by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber and released the following year. Barber halves were not very well received by the numismatic community, though today have gained a following by countless coin collectors, who consider them a bridge between 19th-century U.S. coins and 20th-century coinage. Barber halves are also the earliest design type for the denomination that is usually included in bullion investors’ junk silver holdings, though most Barber half dollars in such a portfolio grade at About Good or below and/or are cleaned.