1915 Half Dollar Error List with Pictures

A 1915 Barber half dollar sold for $42,300 in May 2015. Look closely and you will find a faint raised line running from Liberty’s bust toward a star.

That line gives collectors a clear feature to check when studying 1915 half dollar errors. The coin’s exceptional condition explains most of its price.

Comparable top-quality examples have an estimated range of $20,000–$42,500. Read on to find the line and see why a worn coin with a similar mark costs much less.

1915 Barber Half Dollar Bust-to-Star Die Crack Error (Up to $42,300)

A thin ridge joins the pointed end of Liberty’s bust to the thirteenth star. Heritage described this small feature on the coin from the Duckor collection.

The line came from a crack in the die, the steel tool that stamps the coin. During striking, a little silver entered the crack and formed a raised ridge.

The coin itself did not split. The defect was in the tool, and its shape appeared on the finished surface.

This example shows a narrow line rather than a large blob. Its specific route helps distinguish it from random scratches near the portrait.

Estimated Value

The same coin brought $41,687.50 in August 2010 and $42,300 in May 2015. PCGS graded it MS66+, a high grade for a coin without circulation wear.

An estimated $20,000–$42,500 suits similarly exceptional examples. The scarce date and strong preservation account for most of that amount.

A worn half dollar with a small crack should be priced for its own condition. The raised line alone does not make it a five-figure coin.

How to Identify

Find the pointed lower end of Liberty’s bust. Use a 10× magnifier to follow the line toward star 13, as described in Heritage’s lot 3243.

Move the light across the ridge. It should stand above the surface, rather than cut into it like a scratch.

A scratch can push up metal beside a cut, so look for the groove as well as the raised edge. A stain changes color without forming a matching ridge.

Confirm the 1915 date and the absence of a mintmark on the back. Use a scale and calipers against 12.50 g and 30.6 mm, allowing for wear, and inspect the grooves around the edge.

A complete raised path from the bust to the star gives the quickest useful match.

 

Conclusion

The small bust-to-star ridge identifies a real die crack on the famous 1915 half dollar. It does not explain the whole $42,300 sale price.

An estimated $20,000–$42,500 applies to comparable coins in exceptional condition. For a worn example, compare the date and grade first; a similar raised line should not inherit the price of the much better-preserved Duckor–Gardner coin.