Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 4/29/2024: Gold $2328 | Silver $27.13
1914 Half Dollar Value
Vintage Barber halves in better than average condition are in high demand by collectors. The chart reflects a premium 1914 half dollar value of these quality coins.
Below are images showing the various stages of condition that are used for grading the specifics of each half. By recognizing the important areas of the coin to inspect, and with a close-up view, a judgment of condition is made. When the specific date and mint are added to the grade, its place on the chart is determined.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety - Mintmarks found on vintage Barber halves are identified and noted in order to provide an exact description and comprehensive evaluation.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Condition of these Barber half dollars often displays discernible differences. Grading uses images to compare and define condition, and its place on the value chart.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Limited quantities of nice quality examples of this old series remain today. Recognize the in-demand mints and date combinations.
| 1914 Half Dollar Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Mint State |
| Barber Half Dollar Values Updated | 4/29/2024 | |||
| 1914 | $89 | $328 | $775 | $1,156 |
| 1914 S | $16.16 | $49 | $186 | $665 |
In the chart, wholesale values are listed. These are used as a starting point. A dealer's needs and the specific condition of a half dollar are key factors.
Step 1: | Date and Mintmarks Confirm Elusive Mint Variety
High 1904 Half Dollar Value of Scarce Mint Issue
Among the two varieties of 1914 half dollars, Philadelphia mint holds the lead in value. The issue from Philadelphia is one of only two mints striking half dollars this year. Additionally, coinage was produced by San Francisco a branch mints, notably in much greater quantities.
Due to the wide range of premiums shown on the chart for both mint varieties and conditions, a thorough examination is required. Images are used in the identification of the Branch mints by their mintmarks.
1914-S Barber Half Dollar
"S" Mintmark on Reverse: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin
A San Francisco variety 1914 half dollar is an interesting issue. Minted toward the ending of the series, production was just 992,000 coins. Any twentieth century coinage with "under one million" minted is of notable interest to collectors. An initially scarce coin. Additionally, 1914 became the lowest total production year of the series, 1.1 million half dollars were coined. A special year in the Barber half dollar series.
Today, these represent an affordable example of a historical series and design with an added boost of scarcity.
The "S" mintmark on San Francisco half dollars serves as an identifying mark. Below the Eagle's tail feathers is the distinct "S" mintmark.
1914 Barber Half Dollar
No Mintmark on Reverse: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin
A premium coin in all stages of preservation, Philadelphia issue 1914 half dollars are important to identify accurately. Philadelphia recorded the lowest production numbers of the entire series, with just over 124,000 coins released into commerce. Here is a coin in strong demand by the coin collecting hobby.
A very small amount was produced, plus most remaining today are in varying degrees of heavy wear. Finding a pleasing example is rare and seldom encountered. Handle each with care, by the edges only, and avoid any additional contact with other coins. Protecting their condition now preserves their value into the future.
No mintmark on the reverse is the deciding factor to identify Philadelphia issue Barber half dollars. On the reverse, below the eagle and above HALF DOLLAR, if the space is empty, this identifies the Philadelphia half dollar.
Step 2: | Grading Defines Amount of Surface Wear
Identify the Details to Higher Quality Half Dollars
By defining condition as a "Grade," high quality coins and low quality examples are distinguished from one another. Grades are used to identify the state of preservation of each piece; grades are also used to categorize these coins within value charts.
By referring to the "grade" as part of a coin's description, collectors better understand the condition of the coin. Find a close match between your coin and the example images to establish a specific grade range. Examine while tilting the coin under a single source of light, allowing contrast to highlight the subtle details.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: Mint state half dollars that are in the same condition as when they were first released from the mint are in high demand today. These are described as having no wear on any surface areas. Due to the significant rise in value over worn coins, a thorough examination is done to ensure that they remain without wear. These coins meet the definition of Mint State grade.
When comparing Libert's cheek area to her chin area, mint state coins have the same texture of metal. On both areas, the first signs of wear is a dulling of the sheen and a smoothing of metal. Mint luster is a fine surface that gives the metal a lustrous sheen. When worn, the cheek and chin become less brilliant and take on a distinctly different appearance than the lower relief regions.
As the coin is tilted under a single light, mint state luster is uniformly distributed across all surface areas. Also, look for luster on the top edges of the laurel leaves over Liberty's head to qualify for a mint condition grade.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: Becoming a significant grade in the Barber series are those coins in Extremely Fine condition. Light wear is the only disruption to the surface. No extensive flattening and connecting large areas is visible. A defining factor is full details to the ribbon over Liberty's forehead.
Just above her eye is a well-defined hair line. Within are fine strands of hair only lightly flattened and blended by wear. Significant is the full and bold letters of "Liberty" within the headband. A finely detailed ribbon with raised upper and lower edges contains the lettering. Crisp detail remains, including the edges to the ribbon.
Towards the back of Liberty's head, her cap is an important feature. Many folds to the cap are in both high and low relief. Some wear is seen flattening the outer line of the cap, with most high and low areas of the folds remaining well detailed. No large areas show loss of detail or smoothness within the cap on an Extremely Fine grade half.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: Collectible and premium values of these old half dollars extends into the Fine grade of condition. Identifying these collectible coins requires recognizing remaining small details and judging the amount of wear visible. Liberty's cheek and neck are among the high points and exposed regions with visible wear.
As the amount of metal wears away, Liberty's cheek develops flattened spots. Liberty's portrait on the example coin, has a flat area under her eye that reaches almost to her ear and down to her jaw line. Flattened areas are also be seen on Liberty's cap. As a positive and indicating the Fine grade: some hair detail remains extending towards her forehead, her ear is boldly detailed, and leaves above the ear are clearly visible.
The wreath's many design elements are still present. All the edges of the upper row of leaves are complete, except where two leaves overlap. In addition, and key for the Fine grade, all letters of "LIBERTY" remain legible within the headband. These finer design elements; lettering, leaves, and remaining contours to major features, indicate a nicely preserved half dollar of collectible quality.
Good Grade
Good Grade: Age and a long time in circulation reduced the entire design of Liberty to a smooth surface on the example half dollar. Defining the condition as "Good" grade is the lack of most inner details in her portrait.
Liberty does show a complete outline, fully raised from the field. Originally a high relief portrait, it is now smooth, with just traces of leaves visible. Another important remaining element is the crisp lettering of the motto "In God We Trust" along the rim. Collectors seek coins with fully separated rims from both the stars and lettering.
Nice deep toning of the coin is an added plus. Additionally, no evidence of large marks distracts the eye, leaving a pleasing appearance.
How to Video: Grading Barber Half Dollars
Increase accuracy when judging condition and recognizing higher quality. Subtle points are examined in detail.
Video, Images and Descriptions | Grading Barber Half Dollars
Step 3: | Special Qualities of Half Dollars Within Mintage Records
History Adds Value to 1914 Half Dollar
Many important facts become the knowledge base of a coin series. Barber half dollars minted from 1892 to 1915 is a series of coins, when studied by collectors, are notable for insights leading to understanding of scarcity, rarity, and expected collectible coins. As the series is studied, one exceptional event occurred towards the ending of the series. The Philadelphia mint struck very low quantities of half dollars.
1914 is in the middle of three unusually low mintage years, 1913, 1914, and what became the final year of Barber halves, 1915.
Barber Half Dollar Yearly Totals Produced by the Philadelphia Mint
As knowledge of low mintage numbers is gained by collectors, a natural demand develops for these scarce issues. 1914 recorded two important events. Philadelphia minted a series record low of 124,000 half dollars for circulation. Secondly, San Francisco was the other mint contributing to half dollar coinage in 1914, with a combined yearly mintage of 1.1 million and the lowest yearly total.
With history as a backdrop and insight, collectors have an understanding of the special quality of a 1914 half dollar. The 1914 Philadelphia variety is a scarce, popular, and valuable collectible. 1914 San Francisco variety is important as a representation of the historical year.
Mintage numbers point to historical importance and a base to premium values.
References
U.S. Mint. 1915 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514128
U.S. Mint. 1912 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/324
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Barber Half Dollar Values
1892 to 1915
Barber Half Dollar Value | Importance of Condition
Early years of Barber half dollars those minted 1892 to 1899 all have premium values in better than average condition. A full value chart points to these scarce coins with expanded condition examples to spot the premium coins.
Half Dollar Value | Identify the Different Series
Barber half dollars are part of the long running 50 cent denomination. Half dollars, first minted in 1794, cover many designs, scarce to rare dates, and valuable mint varieties. Images of the designs help recognize the different series, with links to value charts and the steps needed to accurately judge the coin.
In one place are minimum values of the major coin series. Comparing your coin to images recognizes the exact coin and a minimum value range for different stages of condition. An excellent start to a complete evaluation of the many U.S. coin series.
Silver Coin Values | Minimum Values of U.S. Silver Coins
All Barber half dollars are 90% silver. A heavy coin with a strong base silver value. U.S. coinage prior to 1965 contained silver. Images and descriptions identify these precious metal issues, and the calculator show current silver worth. All vintage silver coins are premium coins worth over face value.
Coin Grading Services | Authenticate and Grade of Coins
Coins with potential values above one hundred dollars are a good candidate to have reviewed by a grading service. Collectors send coins to these services to authenticate and grade premium examples, helping confirm grade. Two services, NGC and PCGS are leaders in the coin collecting field to authenticate, grade, and encapsulate coins.
★Coin Values Discovery finds 1914 Barber Half Dollar Value and...
All U.S. coin values. A starting point to correctly identify your old coin. Recognize the important features to value with a step-by-step process. Continue with a full evaluation of specific dates, mints, and condition.