Product Information
The 1908 O Barber Half Dollar contains 90 percent silver, 10 percent copper and weighs 12.5 grams. Some of these older forms of currency are rare and have small letter mint marks below the eagle’s tail identifying the location of the mint. There’s an "O" for the New Orleans, "S" for the San Francisco, "D" for the Denver, and "W" for the West Point Mint. These marks represent which mint made the silver dollar halves. The federal government decommissioned the New Orleans mint in 1911. U.S. In 1908, 5,360,000 O Barber Half Dollars went into circulation. There were 73 regular issues of the O Barber Half Dollar from the years 1892 to 1915. The coin’s namesake, Charles E. Barber, was the sixth Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1879 until his death in 1917. Before paper dollars, gold coins, silver dollars and similar forms of bullion were the only forms of currency. Coin enthusiasts that buy and sell silver and gold coins collect Indian Head pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters that went into circulation and uncirculated ones. Many of those gold and silver coins from the previous two centuries are rare and worth more than their face value. The mint mark, condition, age, and metal type help determine each coin’s value. Collectible bullion often has a coin rating from the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as proof of their worth. The NGC is a third-party coin grading service. These ratings influence the prices of all Barber dollar halves from 1908. Holding a certificate from the NGC is proof of authenticity. At one time in circulation, this 1908 O Barber Half Dollar is in good condition. These half dollars have a liberty head and a 13-star border that represents America’s original colonies on the obverse or head of the coin. On the reverse or back side of the coin is an emblem of an eagle. The Barber 50-cent pieces’ have more collectors than Barber dimes and quarters for the silver pieces that have the highest grades. These Barber Liberty Head dollar halves have a full wreath around the head of liberty, and the bald eagle on the reverse side is holding an olive branch to represent peace in one hand and 13 arrows in the eagle’s other hand. The arrows also represent America’s original 13 colonies. Barber Half Dollars have decorative borders. Mints include the ridge along the sides of the coin to protect them from wear. Wear, discoloration, scratches and other damages reduce the grade that determines the value of the Barber Half Dollar.Product Identifiers
DesignerCharles E. Barber
eBay Product ID (ePID)170391952
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationNew Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year1908
Additional Product Features
Mintage536
MintNew Orleans
Denomination50C
PCGS Number6514