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The Barber design was created to honor the roots of the woman so beloved on US currency: Lady Liberty. The Seated Liberty was the current design and the US Mint Director, Edward Leech, believed it was time for a new portrait. He first put out an add for a competition among local artists, hoping to lure them in with a cash prize for the winner. When the response was less than what he bargained for, Leech collaborated with Barber to come up with a design. William Barber, the US Mint Chief Engraver from 1879-1917, designed the Barber coinage. The Barber coinage is one of the only times in history wherein all of the circulating currency matched in design. The 1909-S Barber Half Dollar contains an average mintage but never lasts long in our inventory nonetheless. Considered to be in fine condition, the 1909-S Barber Half Dollar exhibits wear on the entire coin with important details fading, such as the intricate headpiece on Liberty's head.
The infamous San Francisco Mint, which is dated all the way back to the California gold rushes, is one of those mints. This west coast-based mint was established to help prospectors turn their mined treasure into currency. In just its first year in production, the San Francisco Mint turned $4 million worth of gold into coins! Of course, it was also a part of popular silver coin series, such as the Morgan or the Barber. On the obverse of Barber Half Dollars, Liberty is pictured and is wearing a Grecian leaf crown. The obverse also contains the coin's date of mintage. The reverse reveals a heraldic eagle, draped in a shield and is holding arrows and olive branches in its talons. This design has been used over time on most US currency and is the US national seal.