The 1905-O Barber half dollar was struck in 90% fine silver at the historic New Orleans Mint, which in 1861 served three masters: the United States, the state of Louisiana and then the Confederacy. Production of U.S. coins did not resume after that first year of the Civil War until 1879. Minting continued each year through 1909, when coinage operations ceased for good. The 1905-O Barber half dollar will be a prized remembrance of the former Gulf Coast mint.