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The San Francisco Mint was first established in order to supply a place gold miners could sell their gold and has participated in famous coin series every since. This West Coast-based mint helped produce some of the most popular coin collections in history, including the Barber Half Dollars. It ended up being a very lucrative business, turning out $4 million dollars of gold in its first year. It quickly outgrew its first building and moved to the Granite Lady building, where it withheld its structure during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The building wasn't actually made of granite, just the basement was but the name was used for marketing and stuck. In 1937, it moved to its final facility that is still the San Fran Mint today. The San Francisco Mint is revered for its intense quality control and strong strikes.The 1911-S Barber Half Dollar is in fine condition, consisting heavy wear on both sides of the coin but still with a readable date. Containing an average mintage, the 1911-S is accessible in most conditions and will come packaged in a coin flip for protection.
The history of the Barber design is quite the interesting one. Edward Leech, the Mint Director, decided he wanted to update the Seated Liberty design. Offering a cash prize for the winner, Leech reached out to local artists and wanted to hold a competition for the best design. When he received negative feedback, Leech went to the Chief Engraver, William Barber, and came out with an ideal design that President Benjamin Harrison approved of. 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.