1901 Barber Half Dollar

1901 Barber half dollars are a popular coin among 20th century coin set collectors who want a choice example of the type. Barber halves of that year are more common than several other dates in the series, and that means the numismatist stands to find a great deal on a coin grading from full Good on up through Fine and higher. If your type collection is particularly high end, you may even seek a 1901 Barber half dollar grading from Extremely Fine or better, a tough grade for Barber halves of any date. However, 1901 Barber halves in that grade range are much easier to locate than those of most other dates.

What follows is a run-down of mintages and approximate values for 1901 Barber halves:

• 1901 – 4,268,000; $18

• 1901-O – 1,124,000; $24

• 1901-S – 847,044; $38

• 1901 proof – 813; $900

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

The Barber half dollar was designed by Charles E. Barber and debuted in 1892, replacing the Liberty Seated half dollar. Barber half dollars, though technically a 19th-century design, are quite commonly associated with 20th-century coinage and usually represent the earliest type of half dollar that bullion investors commonly seek for junk silver.