1901-S Half Dollar MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide
Melt: $42.65 (0.3617 oz Silver)

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop David Lawrence Rare Coins

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

1901-S Half Dollar MS Values

Details

The half dollars designed by Charles Barber from 1892-1915 were decidedly unpopular during their day. The coins were considered less attractive than their Seated predecessors and they did not wear well. That is, they looked really unattractive wen worn down, and this series was well circulated. Most key dates in the Barber half series are inexpensive in lower grades for this reason. The series has since become quite popular with collectors.

Obverse: Portrait of Liberty surrounded by 6 stars on the left periphery and 7 stars on the right. IN GOD WE TRUST is inscribed at the top with the date positioned at the bottom center.

Reverse: The heraldic eagle holding the symbolic olive branches and arrows is centered in the design with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR around the periphery. A ribbon in the eagle's beak bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. 13 stars appear in the field above the eagle's head. Mintmark, if any, is positioned under the eagles tail feathers, above the D in DOLLAR.

Basic Information

GSID:

6597

Coin Date:

1901-S

Denomination:

50c / 50 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

847,044

Coinage Type:

Liberty head (Barber) half dollar

Coinage Years:

1892-1915

Composition:

90% silver; 10% copper

Mint Mark:

S

Physical Characteristics

Fineness:

0.9

Weight:

12.5 gr

Weight:

0.475 oz

Precious Metal Weight:

0.3617 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

30.6 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

Charles E. Barber

Obverse Lettering:

IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1901

Obverse Designer:

Charles E. Barber

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM

Reverse Designer:

Charles E. Barber

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers

Greysheet News

View All News
No Dollars? Capped Bust Half Dollars in the China Trade
No Dollars? Capped Bust Half Dollars in the China Trade
1/28/2026

According to Representative Campbell P. White, in his congressional report of 1832, the exportation of half dollars carried on steadily after 1804 and was extensive from 1811–1821.

DLRC Awards $5,000 Bounty for Rare Proof Silver Dollar
DLRC Awards $5,000 Bounty for Rare Proof Silver Dollar
1/27/2026

Virginia Beach, VA: Wanted! Dead or Alive!

1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar Leads Heritage FUN Numismatic Auctions Above $63.38 Million
1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar Leads Heritage FUN Numismatic Auctions Above $63.38 Million
1/21/2026

1879 Coiled Hair Stella, 1829 Capped Head Left Half Eagle and 1934 $10,000 federal reserve note also among event highlights.

Map icon

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center

Map icon

Coinacopia Building