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When the Seated Liberty Half Dollar had run its course, the Mint Director Edward Leech, wanted to hold a competition for the next coinage design. Adding the appeal of a cash prize for the winner, the local turnout was a bit underwhelming. The artists that were invited to participate wanted a different prize, under different terms, and withdrew when their needs weren't met. Leech resorted to inside the mint, wherein he worked with the Chief Engraver at the time, to construct a new design. The Chief Engraver, William Barber, was approved by president, Benjamin Harrison, to move forward with the Barber coinage. The Barber collection is one of the only coin series to simultaneously have the same design on the half dollar, quarter, and dime. Collectors enjoy this collection since the half dollars are contain pretty high premiums and are highly numismatic.
The 1899 Barber Half Dollar contains a pretty high mintage and is accessible at a low premium in most conditions. Considered to be in very good condition, the 1899 Barber Half Dollar exhibits a worn surface, with specific details lacking, such as the intricate detail on the leaves of Liberty's headpiece is worn. Minted at the first mint, the 1899 does not contain a mint-mark and is a part of an average mintage. The history of the Philadelphia Mint is one that dates back to the beginning of this country. The US desperately needed an identity but also a means to international commerce so the Founding Fathers decided that a national mint was the answer. The Mint Act officially announced the opening of the Philadelphia Mint and also instituted guidelines for the newly minted currency. A dollar decimal system would be used to assign the currency with legal tender values. Also, an emblematic symbol of liberty must be included on US currency, hence why so many adaptations of Liberty have been used.