1897 Barber Half Dollar - 1897 Barber 50c NGC PF68 UCAM. This eye-appealing 1897 Barber Half Dollar coin is tied for second finest at NGC and finest at PCGS. This 1897 Barber Half Dollar coin is a proof 68 Ultra Cameo, which means that it has frosted devices that are set against dark mirrored, fully reflective fields. The grade also indicates that the coin is free of hairlines, which are common in lower graded proof coins. The slight haze, particularly in the reverse field, attests to the coins originality. Breen points out that numerous proofs of this date have been improperly cleaned.

Charles E. Barber designed the Liberty Head or Barber half dollar, which was issued from 1892 to 1915. It shows a close profile of Liberty facing right. She wears a Phrygian cap with a laurel wreath around the edge of the cap. The ends of the wreath are tied with a ribbon, the ends of which extend to the first star. On her brow is a LIBERTY inscribed ribbon. Above her head is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Six six-pointed stars are to the left and seven are to the right with the date below the truncation.

The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with wings spread holding a scroll in its beak. The scroll is inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM. The eagle has a Union shield on its chest. Its right talon holds a thirteen-leaved olive branch; its left holds a bundle of thirteen arrows. Above its head is a galaxy of thirteen five-pointed stars. The denomination HALF DOLLAR is below the eagle, and the mintmark, if present, is below the eagles tail.

Charles E. Barber was the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He became Chief Engraver after the death of his father, William. He served from 1879 to 1917. He is best known for his designs of the Barber dime, quarter, and half dollar. In addition he designed the Liberty Head nickel, several commemoratives, and the Flowing Hair Stella pattern. Barber was born in London in 1840. He came to the United States in 1852 with his family. His father became an engraver at the Mint in Philadelphia.

Following Longacres death, William Barber became the Chief Engraver and made his son, Charles, his assistant. In 1879, Charles Barber became the Chief Engraver despite the fact the George T. Morgan may have been more qualified or at least more talented. William Barber, Charles father, had been an engraver in England. He worked for the Mint in Philadelphia and became Chief Engraver in 1869 after James Longacre died on New Years Day. In 1875 Charles married Martha Jones.

They had a daughter, Edith. Martha died in 1898, and Charles remarried in 1902 to Caroline Gaston. After William Barbers death, George T. Morgan was also being considered to replace him. However, a few months later, Charles was named to the position. During the time that he was Chief Engraver, he was responsible for the 1883 Hawaiian coinage: the silver dime, eighth dollar, quarter, half dollar, and dollar.

With a mintage of 731, the 1897 proof Barber half dollar is rare in all grades. In its population report, NGC shows this coin tied for second finest in PFUC 68 with 12 others and 1 better. At PCGS there are 3 PRDC with none better.