A controversial figure, Charles E. Barber, designed the 1892 U.S. half dollar. For 24 years, this coin proliferated throughout the United States. It followed on the heels of the Seated Liberty design, which was minted between 1839 and 1891. Following the Barber half dollar, the U.S. Mint went back to the theme of liberty and created the Walking Liberty half, which was minted between 1916 and 1947. The Barber half dollar was minted during a time when the composition of half dollars was almost entirely silver. It weighed 12.5 grams and contained a net amount of approximately 0.35 ounces of silver. At just more than 30 mm in diameter, the half dollar was a whopping pocketful even back in the late 19th century. There is one unusual variety of the Barber half dollar, but no major mistakes or rarities are known to exist. The highest output of these half dollars was rendered at the turn of the century, when Philadelphia put out 5.5 million Barber half dollars. To check for authenticity, look for abrasions under the word "liberty" on the obverse and on the eagle's wings and tail on the reverse. 1914 Barber half dollar proofs are rather rare--only 380 were made that year. Barber half dollar collectors may also want to invest in Barber quarters and dimes, which were issued around the same time. Some historians believe that Charles Barber purposely interrupted a citizen contest to preserve the honor of designing the currency for himself. In any event, collectors seem to prefer Barber half dollars to either Barber quarters or Barber dimes. | 
