Ultimate Guide To The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar Value

What is a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar?

A 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a silver coin minted by the United States Mint from 1892 to 1915. The coin was designed by Charles E. Barber and features a Liberty Head on the obverse and an eagle in flight on the reverse.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. It weighs 12.5 grams and has a diameter of 30.6 millimeters. The coin was minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a popular coin among collectors. It is a well-struck coin with a pleasing design. The coin is also relatively affordable, making it a good choice for beginning collectors.

In addition to its numismatic value, the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar also has historical significance. The coin was minted during a time of great change in the United States. The country was emerging from the Civil War and beginning to expand westward. The Liberty Half Dollar was a symbol of the nation's strength and prosperity.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a beautiful and historic coin that is a valuable addition to any collection.

1921 Liberty Half Dollar

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a significant coin in American numismatics. Its key aspects include:

• Design: Liberty Head obverse, eagle reverse
• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
• Weight: 12.5 grams
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Mintage: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
• Value: Popular among collectors
• Historical significance: Symbol of national strength and prosperity

The Liberty Half Dollar's design is a classic example of American coin art. The Liberty Head obverse, designed by Charles E. Barber, is a timeless representation of the nation's ideals. The eagle reverse, also by Barber, is a powerful symbol of American freedom and independence.

The coin's composition and weight have remained unchanged since its introduction in 1892. This consistency makes it a popular choice for collectors who appreciate classic American coinage.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a valuable coin, both in terms of its numismatic value and its historical significance. It is a reminder of a time when the United States was emerging as a global power.

1. Design

The design of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a classic example of American coin art. The Liberty Head obverse, designed by Charles E. Barber, is a timeless representation of the nation's ideals. The eagle reverse, also by Barber, is a powerful symbol of American freedom and independence.

The Liberty Head obverse features a portrait of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap. The cap was a symbol of freedom in ancient Greece and Rome, and it was adopted by the United States as a symbol of its own independence. Liberty's hair is flowing in the wind, and she is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen colonies.

The eagle reverse features a majestic eagle in flight, with its wings spread wide. The eagle is clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left talon. The olive branch is a symbol of peace, and the arrows are a symbol of war. The eagle is surrounded by the words "United States of America" and "Half Dollar".

2. Composition

The composition of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition gives the coin a number of desirable properties, including:

• Durability: Silver is a very durable metal, and the addition of copper makes the coin even more resistant to wear and tear. This is important for a coin that is intended to circulate widely.
• Conductivity: Silver is a good conductor of electricity, which makes it ideal for use in electrical applications. This is not a major factor for the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar, but it is a property of the coin's composition nonetheless.
• Malleability: Silver is a malleable metal, which means that it can be easily shaped and worked. This makes it easy to mint coins from silver.
• Color: Silver has a beautiful white color, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular for use in jewelry and coinage.

The composition of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a key factor in its value and desirability. The coin's high silver content makes it a valuable investment, and its beautiful white color and classic design make it a popular collector's item.

3. Weight

The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is 12.5 grams. This is a significant factor in determining the coin's value, as the weight of a coin can indicate its silver content. The Liberty Half Dollar was made of 90% silver and 10% copper, and its weight is consistent with this composition.

• Value: The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is an important factor in determining its value. A coin that is underweight may have been circulated heavily or may have been cleaned, which can reduce its value. A coin that is overweight may have been minted with a higher silver content, which can increase its value.
• Composition: The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar can also indicate its composition. A coin that is made of a different metal or alloy will have a different weight than a coin that is made of silver. This can be helpful in identifying counterfeit coins.
• Rarity: The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar can also be a factor in determining its rarity. Some coins were minted in smaller quantities than others, and these coins may have a different weight than the more common coins. This can make them more valuable to collectors.
• Historical significance: The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar can also provide insight into the coin's historical significance. The Liberty Half Dollar was minted during a time of great change in the United States, and the weight of the coin can reflect the economic conditions of the time.

The weight of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a significant factor in determining its value, composition, rarity, and historical significance. By understanding the weight of the coin, collectors and investors can gain a better understanding of the coin's overall value and importance.

4. Diameter

The diameter of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is 30.6 millimeters. This measurement is an important aspect of the coin's design and production, as it affects both the coin's appearance and its utility.

The diameter of a coin is determined by a number of factors, including the coin's denomination, its metal composition, and the minting process used to create it. In the case of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar, the coin's diameter is consistent with other half dollar coins minted during the same period. This consistency in diameter allowed the coins to be easily stacked and counted, which was important for both storage and transportation.

The diameter of a coin also affects its design. The Liberty Half Dollar's diameter of 30.6 millimeters provides ample space for the coin's intricate design, which includes a Liberty Head obverse and an eagle reverse. The coin's diameter also allows for the inclusion of lettering around the coin's edge, which provides important information such as the coin's denomination and year of mintage.

The diameter of a coin is a seemingly small detail, but it is an important factor in the coin's overall design and utility. The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar's diameter of 30.6 millimeters is a key part of what makes the coin a beautiful and valuable piece of American history.

5. Mintage

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar was minted at three different locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. This was a common practice for the United States Mint at the time, as it allowed the Mint to produce coins more efficiently and to distribute them more evenly throughout the country.

Each of the three mints produced a unique variety of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar. The Philadelphia Mint produced the most coins, with a mintage of over 20 million. The Denver Mint produced a smaller number of coins, with a mintage of just over 5 million. The San Francisco Mint produced the fewest coins, with a mintage of just over 2 million.

The different mint marks on the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar can affect the value of the coin. Coins minted in Philadelphia are generally worth less than coins minted in Denver or San Francisco. This is because the Philadelphia Mint produced a larger number of coins, making them more common.

The mintage of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is an important factor to consider when collecting or investing in these coins. By understanding the different mint marks and their relative scarcity, collectors and investors can make more informed decisions about which coins to buy or sell.

6. Value

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a popular coin among collectors for a number of reasons. Its classic design, historical significance, and relatively low mintage all contribute to its value.

• Classic design: The Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Charles E. Barber, who is considered one of the most talented coin designers in American history. The coin's obverse features a beautiful Liberty Head, while the reverse features a majestic eagle in flight.
• Historical significance: The Liberty Half Dollar was minted during a time of great change in the United States. The country was emerging from the Civil War and beginning to expand westward. The Liberty Half Dollar was a symbol of the nation's strength and prosperity.
• Low mintage: The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar was minted in relatively low numbers, with a total mintage of just over 27 million coins. This makes it a relatively scarce coin, which adds to its value.
• Numismatic value: The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a popular coin among numismatists, who collect coins for their historical and aesthetic value. The coin's classic design, historical significance, and low mintage all contribute to its numismatic value.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a valuable coin that is popular among collectors for a number of reasons. Its classic design, historical significance, and relatively low mintage all contribute to its value.

7. Historical significance

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar was minted during a time of great change in the United States. The country was emerging from the Civil War and beginning to expand westward. The Liberty Half Dollar was a symbol of the nation's strength and prosperity.

• National strength: The Liberty Half Dollar was minted during a time of great national strength. The United States was a major economic power, and its military was one of the strongest in the world. The Liberty Half Dollar reflected this strength, and its design was meant to inspire patriotism and confidence.
• Prosperity: The Liberty Half Dollar was also a symbol of prosperity. The United States was experiencing a period of economic growth, and the Liberty Half Dollar was a reminder of the nation's wealth and abundance. The coin's design featured symbols of prosperity, such as the eagle and the olive branch.
• Symbol of hope: The Liberty Half Dollar was also a symbol of hope. The United States was a young country, and the Liberty Half Dollar represented the nation's potential for greatness. The coin's design featured Liberty, who was a symbol of hope and freedom.
• Symbol of unity: The Liberty Half Dollar was also a symbol of unity. The United States was a diverse nation, but the Liberty Half Dollar was a reminder that all Americans were united under the same flag. The coin's design featured the motto "E Pluribus Unum," which means "Out of many, one."

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a beautiful and historic coin that is a reminder of the nation's strength, prosperity, hope, and unity.

FAQs about 1921 Liberty Half Dollar

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar:

The value of a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar depends on several factors, including the condition of the coin, the mint mark, and the overall rarity. Generally speaking, a 1921 Liberty Half Dollar in good condition is worth around $20. However, a coin in mint condition can be worth significantly more.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar and the 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar are two different coins. The Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Charles E. Barber and features a Liberty Head obverse and an eagle reverse. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and features a Walking Liberty obverse and an eagle reverse.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar was minted from 1892 to 1915. The coin was designed by Charles E. Barber and was intended to replace the Seated Liberty Half Dollar. The Liberty Half Dollar was a popular coin and was widely circulated. However, production of the coin was suspended in 1916 due to the outbreak of World War I.

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar was minted at three different locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The mint mark for the Philadelphia Mint is a small "P," the mint mark for the Denver Mint is a small "D," and the mint mark for the San Francisco Mint is a small "S."

There are a few special varieties of the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar. One variety is the "Barber Quarter Eagle," which was struck on a Quarter Eagle planchet. Another variety is the "Overdate," which features the date "1921" over the date "1920."

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar. For more information, please consult a reputable reference book or website.

Happy collecting!

Conclusion

The 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a beautiful and historic coin that is a testament to the strength, prosperity, hope, and unity of the United States. Its classic design, historical significance, and relatively low mintage make it a popular coin among collectors and investors.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or a novice investor, the 1921 Liberty Half Dollar is a coin that deserves a place in your collection. Its timeless design and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any portfolio.