The 1912 Barber half dollar was struck in 90% silver at the main U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, where all dies for U.S. coins were made until 1996 (some dies are now made at the Denver Mint). Dies for use at other mints are made with appropriate mint marks before they are shipped to those mints. The 1912 Barber half dollar was produced during the year that the "unsinkable" Titanic slammed into an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage, drowning 1,595 of 2,340 passengers and crew.