The Bust Half Dollar was the first half dollar ever minted by the U.S. mint. It was released with its sister the Bust Dollar. Both coins shared the same design upon release. However, as the life span of these coins continued to grow, they did develop distinct differences. The Bust Half Dollar is very popular among collectors due to their age and rarity. It is hard to find specimens that well preserved.
As was stated before, the Bust Half Dollar’s design was the same as the Bust Dollar’s design upon release. Shortly after their initial release, their designs began to vary. For example, in 1796 their designs were meant to be the same right facing draped bust design surrounded by 15 stars. But some coins were minted with 16 stars instead of 15. Both coins had the same reverse design of an eagle perched with its wings spread as if it was preparing to take flight. In 1808 the designs drifted in opposite directions. No pun intended, they literally started facing opposite directions. The Bust half dollar had a left facing bust of Liberty, while the Bust Dollar had a right facing bust. That was the last design change.
The Bust Half Dollar was minted from 1794-1839. They were minted in Philadelphia and later in New Orleans. Some significant dates include the following:
-1794 Bust Half Dollar
-1823 Bust Half Dollar
-1898-O Bust Half Dollar
Bust Half Dollar Mintages and Values
| Date | Mintage | Good | Very Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1892-P Barber Half Dollar | 934,000 | $27.00 | $135.00 | $210.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1892-O Barber Half Dollar | 390,000 | $300.00 | $675.00 | $700.00 | $1,100.00 | |
| 1892-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,029,028 | $275.00 | $550.00 | $750.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1893-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,826,000 | $25.00 | $160.00 | $210.00 | $600.00 | |
|
1893-O Barber Half Dollar
|
1,389,000 | $40.00 | $250.00 | $350.00 | $900.00 | |
| 1893-S Barber Half Dollar | 740,000 | $150.00 | $800.00 | $1,200.00 | $2,250.00 | |
| 1894-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,148,000 | $30.00 | $115.00 | $300.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1894-O Barber Half Dollar | 2,138,000 | $25.00 | $170.00 | $300.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1894-S Barber Half Dollar | 4,048,690 | $22.00 | $140.00 | $215.00 | $650.00 | |
| 1895-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,834,338 | $18.00 | $140.00 | $210.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1895-O Barber Half Dollar | 1,766,000 | $40.00 | $180.00 | $260.00 | $750.00 | |
| 1895-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,108,086 | $30.00 | $250.00 | $300.00 | $625.00 | |
| 1896-P Barber Half Dollar | 950,000 | $35.00 | $160.00 | $240.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1896-O Barber Half Dollar | 924,000 | $50.00 | $500.00 | $2,200.00 | $6,000.00 | |
| 1896-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,140,948 | $115.00 | $425.00 | $959.00 | $2,500.00 | |
| 1897-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,480,000 | $20.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1897-O Barber Half Dollar | 632,000 | $160.00 | $750.00 | $1,050.00 | $2,000.00 | |
| 1897-S Barber Half Dollar | 933,900 | $150.00 | $550.00 | $900.00 | $2,750.00 | |
| 1898-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,956,000 | $18.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1898-O Barber Half Dollar | 874,000 | $38.00 | $400.00 | $540.00 | $1,500.00 | |
| 1898-S Barber Half Dollar | 2,358,550 | $30.00 | $185.00 | $340.00 | $1,500.00 | |
| 1899-P Barber Half Dollar | 5,538,000 | $18.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1899-O Barber Half Dollar | 1,724,000 | $25.00 | $165.00 | $275.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1899-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,686,411 | $25.00 | $175.00 | $300.00 | $850.00 | |
| 1900-P Barber Half Dollar | 4,762,000 | $17.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1900-O Barber Half Dollar | 2,744,000 | $18.00 | $170.00 | $325.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1900-S Barber Half Dollar | 2,560,322 | $17.00 | $100.00 | $210.00 | $650.00 | |
| 1901-P Barber Half Dollar | 4,268,000 | $17.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1901-O Barber Half Dollar | 1,124,000 | $17.00 | $230.00 | $1,100.00 | $2,400.00 | |
| 1901-S Barber Half Dollar | 847,044 | $32.00 | $400.00 | $1,250.00 | $3,500.00 | |
| 1902-P Barber Half Dollar | 4,922,000 | $17.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1902-O Barber Half Dollar | 2,526,000 | $17.00 | $105.00 | $220.00 | $900.00 | |
| 1902-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,460,670 | $19.00 | $150.00 | $250.00 | $900.00 | |
| 1903-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,278,000 | $17.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1903-O Barber Half Dollar | 2,100,000 | $17.00 | $125.00 | $210.00 | $800.00 | |
| 1903-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,920,772 | $17.00 | $130.00 | $230.00 | $950.00 | |
| 1904-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,992,000 | $17.00 | $85.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1904-O Barber Half Dollar | 1,117,600 | $22.00 | $235.00 | $400.00 | $1,700.00 | |
| 1904-S Barber Half Dollar | 553,038 | $48.00 | $900.00 | $3,000.00 | $12,500.00 | |
| 1905-P Barber Half Dollar | 662,000 | $25.00 | $185.00 | $265.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1905-O Barber Half Dollar | 505,000 | $30.00 | $225.00 | $350.00 | $850.00 | |
| 1905-S Barber Half Dollar | 2,494,000 | $16.00 | $140.00 | $240.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1906-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,638,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1906-D Barber Half Dollar | 4,028,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $900.00 | |
| 1906-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,740,000 | $16.00 | $115.00 | $210.00 | $625.00 | |
| 1907-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,598,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1907-D Barber Half Dollar | 3,856,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1907-O Barber Half Dollar | 3,946,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1907-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,250,000 | $18.00 | $185.00 | $425.00 | $2,500.00 | |
| 1908-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,354,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1908-D Barber Half Dollar | 3,280,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1908-O Barber Half Dollar | 5,360,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1908-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,644,828 | $16.00 | $160.00 | $400.00 | $1,100.00 | |
| 1909-P Barber Half Dollar | 2,368,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1909-O Barber Half Dollar | 925,400 | $18.00 | $175.00 | $375.00 | $1,100.00 | |
| 1909-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,764,000 | $16.00 | $110.00 | $250.00 | $750.00 | |
| 1910-P Barber Half Dollar | 418,000 | $20.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1910-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,948,000 | $18.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1911-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,406,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1911-D Barber Half Dollar | 695,080 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1911-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,272,000 | $18.00 | $120.00 | $240.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1912-P Barber Half Dollar | 1,550,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1912-D Barber Half Dollar | 2,300,800 | $16.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1912-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,370,000 | $16.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1913-P Barber Half Dollar | 188,000 | $75.00 | $425.00 | $800.00 | $1,750.00 | |
| 1913-D Barber Half Dollar | 534,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1913-S Barber Half Dollar | 604,000 | $16.00 | $120.00 | $275.00 | $800.00 | |
| 1914-P Barber Half Dollar | 124,230 | $125.00 | $550.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,500.00 | |
| 1914-S Barber Half Dollar | 992,000 | $16.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1915-P Barber Half Dollar | 138,000 | $85.00 | $375.00 | $650.00 | $1,400.00 | |
| 1915-D Barber Half Dollar | 1,170,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
| 1915-S Barber Half Dollar | 1,604,000 | $16.00 | $95.00 | $200.00 | $550.00 | |
*Source 2020 Red Book