The
Early Half Dollar:
The half dollar has been in existence since the 1790's
and are still being made today, although they see
little use and are mostly made for collectors. Historically
half dollars were made in fairly large quantities
and were used in banking and commerce; consequently,
many are available to collectors.
First authorized in
1792, the half dollar was not minted until 1794. Chief
Coiner Henry Voigt and Assayer Albion Cox could not
raise the $10,000 bond required to take office. For
this reason, only copper coins were made in 1793.
To ameliorate this situation, Thomas Jefferson wrote
to President Washington asking him to request that
Congress lower the bond requirement. He ultimately
prevailed, and Robert Scot, the new Engraver made
the dies for the half dollar.
The first half dollar
was issued from 1794 to 1795. The Flowing Hair type
showed Liberty facing right surrounded with 8 stars
on the left of LIBERTY and 7 on the right with the
date blow. The Small Eagle reverse showed a thin eagle
looking right with outstretched wings. It is perched
on a cloud and surrounded by a wreath tied in a bow
at the bottom. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds
the design with dentils on both sides. The denomination
is on the edge of the coin as FIFTY CENTS OR A HALF
DOLLAR. Decorations are between the words. The design
next type was the Draped Bust half dollar of 1796
to 1807. It showed a new portrait of a buxom Liberty
with some of her hair tied back. There are both 15
and 16 star versions of this type, which was in use
until 1797. In 1801 the Heraldic Eagle Reverse was
used until 1807. It showed the eagle facing left holding
arrows and olive branch in the wrong talons. The eagle's
right talon should be holding the olive branch. Instead
it holds the arrows. The eagle's wings are outstretched,
and above its head are 13 stars and clouds.
The motto E PLURIBUS
UNUM is on a banner in front of the eagle's
right wing and behind the left. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
surrounds the design. The next type of half dollar
was the Capped Bust, Lettered Edge. It was minted
from 1807 to 1836. It showed a portrait of Liberty
wearing a LIBERTY inscribed Phrygian cap facing left.
There are 7 stars on the left and 6 on the right with
the date below. The reverse motif shows a heraldic
eagle with wings lowered facing left. A scroll above
has the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
is above and the denomination, 50 C. is below. The
edge is inscribed the same as the previous type. This
design remained in use until 1836 when a reeded edge
Reverse 50 Cents was minted. In 1838 the reverse was
changed to HALF DOL. The Liberty Seated Half Dollar
followed and was in use from 1839 to 1891. It showed
a seated figure of Liberty facing left holding a staff
and Phrygian cap in one hand and the Union shield
inscribed LIBERTY in the other with the date below.
The reverse shows a reverse similar to the previous
type. At various times several combinations of arrows
at the date and rays above the eagle were used. A
banner with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added in
1866.
Charles Barber designed
the next half which remained in use until 1915. It
was followed by Weinman's Walking Liberty Half
that was used until 1947. In 1948 the Franklin Half
was minted, but because of the assassination of President
Kennedy, the Kennedy Half Dollar was minted in 1964
and is still being made today, with modifications
in metallic content, mainly for collectors. In 1975
to 1976 the Bicentennial design replaced the regular
Kennedy half, but it resumed in 1977.
Specifications: (1794-1836) Edge: Lettered - FIFTY CENTS
OR A HALF DOLLAR with decorations (1807-1814 FIFTY
CENTS OR HALF DOLLAR. 1814-1831 Star added between
DOLLAR and FIFTY, 1832-1836 Vertical lines between
words). Weight: 13.48 grams Diameter: 32.5 millimeters Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76%
copper
