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The 1896 Barber Half Dollar was minted at the very first mint in the US and is in very good condition. Collectors expect very good condition to contain heavy abrasions, with not much as far as details are concerned. Since the Philadelphia Mint was the first mint, their signature mark was to leave no mint-mark on their coins. Minted by the Philadelphia Mint, the 1896 Barber Half Dollar has a mintage of 950,000. The Barber Half Dollar replaced the Seated Liberty coinage, by preference of the Mint Director, Edward Leech. After a failed attempt to offer a friendly competition among local artists, Leech resorted to Chief Engraver, William Barber, to come up with the design. Barber's design extended to the dime, quarter, and half dollar; being one of the only coin designs to serve on all currency. Liberty is wearing a Grecian leaf cap, on the obverse, as the reverse features the nation's seal. The Barber Dime is the only Barber coin to not showcase the heraldic eagle, holding the shield, on its reverse. The dime and quarter feature just the coin's monetary denomination.
Each US Mint branch has its own interesting history that affects the coins we know and love today. Founded in 1792, by the Founding Fathers, the Philadelphia Mint had a lot of pressure placed on its shoulders. Not only was it the first mint facility in the US but it also had a list of requirements to accomplish, due to the Mint Act of 1792. The list contained demands, such as every coin must display its denomination and/or metal composition. The most important requirement was that every coin needed to display an emblematic symbol of liberty. This demand has led to all of the US currency portraying either Lady Liberty and/or an eagle on its surface.