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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.The 1902-O 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 large amounts of wear with no intricate detailing.
During the time the Barber Half Dollar was in circulation, there were 4 different mints producing the highly collectible coins and known as the golden age in coin minting. Unfortunately, only 2 of those mints still stand today but the others offer an interesting look into coin production history. Among these mints was the New Orleans Mint, also known as the Old Mint. The Old Mint mainly depended on the success of the Morgan's production so much that when the Morgan's production stopped, the Old Mint was decommissioned shortly after. The New Orleans Mint's building as been used as a fallout shelter, an assay office, and a storage facility for the US Coast Guard. It is now considered a national landmark, and is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the US.