Designed by: John Reich
Issue Dates: 1807-1836
Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
Diameter: 32.5 mm
Weight: 13.48 grams (208.02 grains)
Edge: Lettered FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR
Business Strike Mintage: 82,339,124
In 1807 the Capped Bust obverse was introduced. Miss Liberty faces left. She wears a cap secured at the base with a ribbon or band inscribed LIBERTY, with tresses falling to her shoulder. Her low neck line is draped in a cloth or a gown and is secured by a brooch on her shoulder. Seven stars are to the left and six are to the right. The date is below. The reverse depicts an eagle perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows, with E PLURIBUS UNUM above on a scroll and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 50 C. surrounding.
Although there are a number of scarce varieties in the 1807-1836 range, most are readily obtainable. Specimens of most issues are typically encountered in grades from Fine to Extremely Fine, with some of the earlier dates in the range, 1807 through 1820, sometimes seen in Good to Very Good preservation. AU pieces are not difficult to find, especially of dates in the late 1820s and 1830s. Uncirculated coins, particularly ones in higher ranges of that category are elusive, with superb pieces being rare. Many examples show lightness of striking, particularly on the stars on the obverse, the high parts of Miss Liberty, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse. Among Uncirculated pieces, examples typically have friction or rubbing at the lower left of the bust, from coin-to-coin contact in bank bags.
