1837 Half Dollar - 1837 Reeded 50C, NGC MS63. Here is a Mint State, well struck, lightly toned 1837 Reeded Edge Half Dollar. Aside from a scuff in the left obverse field, the coins surfaces are amazingly clean. We see gun-metal gray and light silver colors that are covered with golden speckles on the obverse. Satiny mint luster floats within the devices and on the fields. The luster and colors attest to the coins originality. The strike is above average with full details on more than half of the obverse stars, the border letters of the reverse, and the eagle. 

The Capped Bust half dollar was originally designed by John Reich. It is similar to his Capped Bust quarter. The half dollar shows a plump, capped head of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed headband. Seven six-pointed stars are to the left and six are to the right with the date below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left with wings raised. Above the eagle, on a banner, is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the coin, and the denomination written as 50 CENTS is below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides, and, the edge is reeded. Christian Gobrecht restyled Reichs Capped Bust half using a slightly smaller diameter. 

The Capped Bust, Reeded Edge halves had two reverse variations. The present coin is an example of the use of 50 CENTS for the denomination, which was also used in 1836. The 1838 and 1839 Reeded Edge halves use HALF DOL. Prior Capped Bust half dollars used 50 C. for the denomination.

John Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.