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The New Orleans Mint, or also known as the Old Mint, served as a branch of the US Mint from 1838-1861, then again from 1879-1909. The New Orleans Mint produced many popular series, like the Barber coinage, but it's main production was the Morgan silver dollar. The Old Mint literally didn't make enough money to stay afloat after the Morgan ceased production. After being decommissioned, the New Orleans Mint was used for other things like an assay office, the US Coast guard office, and even a fallout shelter. Nowadays, the Old Mint is considered an official historical landmark and is presently the oldest structure in the US. The New Orleans and Carson City Mints are the only branches that were decommissioned, causing their coins to be in high demand recently.
The 1905-O Barber Half Dollar is one of the lowest minted half dollars, by the New Orleans Mint, and for the Barber Half Dollar series. Considered to be in fine condition and has wear on both sides of the coin, with the date still readable. The Barber Half Dollar was created when the Mint Director, at the time, Edward Leech needed to replace the Seated Liberty Dollar. Leech announced a competition, among local artists, to design the new coin and the winner would win a cash prize. Denied by the artists, Leech resorted to Barber, who came up with the new design, approved by Benjamin Harrison. Liberty is on the obverse, adorned with a Grecian leaf headband and is accompanied by the coin's date of mintage. The reverse displays the nation's seal: a heraldic eagle covered by a shield. The eagle holds olive branches, in one talon, and arrows in the other. The seal's symbolism reveals the strength of the US and the bravery it takes to hold onto the freedom it holds dear. There are also 13 stars above the eagle's head, accounting for the original 13 colonies. Many engravers, after Barber, would use his designs to inspire more US currency.