SILVER COIN FIELD GUIDE
Barber Half Dollar
Look for the late Philadelphia semi-keys and scarcer early dates. A mintmark changes which issue you have.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1892–1915
- Composition
- 90% silver
- Standard gross weight
- 12.5 g
- Fine silver per coin
- 0.36169 troy oz
- Face value
- $0.50
Philadelphia matters for the late-series dates
The 1913, 1914, and 1915 Philadelphia halves deserve a separate look. A branch-mint half with the same year is not the same issue, so include the mint or the absence of a mintmark in your search.
An 1892-O Micro O is a specific mintmark variety. Establish the attribution before using Micro O sales to estimate a regular 1892-O.
Where to look. The mintmark sits below the eagle’s tail. The 1913–1915 Philadelphia issues have no mintmark; check suspicious removal or alteration.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Better date. A date or issue that merits its own comparison, not an automatic high-value finding.
Variety. A specific attributed design or die difference, not every coin with that year.
- Better date
1913 · 1914 · 1915
Philadelphia only: three semi-keys, with 1914 the lowest business-strike mintage.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Better date
1897-S
A scarce early date worth separating for a closer review.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Variety
1892-O Micro O
A specific small-mintmark variety, not every 1892-O half.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.36169 fine troy ounces of silver per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce silver quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
- PCGS: Barber coin mintmarks ↗
- 1913 · 1914 · 1915 — reference ↗
- 1892-O Micro O — reference ↗
- NGC silver melt-value reference ↗
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.