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When the Seated Liberty Half Dollar had been issued for awhile, 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. 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. On the obverse of Barber Half Dollars, Liberty is pictured and is wearing a Grecian leaf crown. The obverse also contains the coin's date of mintage. The reverse reveals a heraldic eagle, draped in a shield and is holding arrows and olive branches in its talons. This design has been used over time on most US currency and is the US national seal.
The 1901-O Barber Half Dollar is in very good condition, presenting abrasions on the entire coin and lacks important detailing, such as Liberty's headpiece and the eagle's feathers.The Old Mint, served as a branch of the US Mint from 1838-1861, then again from 1879-1909; serving alongside three other mints in order to produce the highly collectible Morgan silver dollar. Decommissioned in 1909, the New Orleans Mint has been used as an assay office, a fallout shelter, and a storage facility for the US Coast Guard. The Old Mint is considered an official historical landmark and is presently the oldest structure in the US. The Old Mint also participated in other important coin series, such as the Barber coinage, wherein it is one of the only coin collections that has the same design on all denominations.