Coin Specifications

The second design type for the fifty cent denomination was introduced in 1796 and ultimately used until 1807. The Draped Bust Half Dollar includes two distinct reverse types, the first which appear in 1796 and 1797 and the second from 1801 to 1807.

Specifications for the coins remained the same as the previous Flowing Hair Half Dollars, although continued improvements in minting and technology would bring actual coin specifications more often in line with the standards. The composition consisted of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. For underweight or overweight planchets, the early mint may have made adjustment marks or plugs prior to striking. The approximate diameter of coins was 32.5 mm with a weight of 13.48 grams or 208 grains.

Robert Scot is credited with the designs for the Draped Bust Half Dollar, although it is said to have been based on drawings by Gilbert Stuart. An image of Liberty appears facing left with a portion of her bust, which is draped, visible within the image. There are stars to either side, which alternately numbered 15, 16, or 13, and the word “Liberty” above and the date below. The initial reverse type known as the small eagle reverse was carried over from the previous type, but had the addition of the fraction “1/2″ below the eagle.

The later reverse type used from 1801 until the end of the series featured a heraldic eagle based on the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle appeared behind a shield with a bundle of arrows and olive branch in its claws. Clouds and thirteen stars appeared above with “United States of America” surrounding the image. Indication of the denomination was removed and now only noted by the edge lettering.

Draped Bust Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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The Liberty Seated Half Dollar design was used from 1839 to 1891, representing the longest duration that a design has remained in use for the denomination. Although the basic design remained the same, there were a number of small design modifications, as well as changes tot he weight and corresponding silver content of the coins.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar features a portrayal of Lady Liberty seated on a rock holding a pole with a liberty cap on top. Her other hand holds a shield bearing the word “Liberty”. The reverse features an eagle with a shield at its chest and an olive branch and bundle of arrows in its talons. Design modifications including adding and removing arrows around the date, rays around the eagle, and the permanent addition of the motto “In God We Trust” on a banner above the eagle.

The arrows and rays mentioned as design changes actually represented changes to the standard silver content within the denomination. From 1853 to 1873, the weight of the coins was lowered from 13.37 grams to 12.4 grams, as the rising price of silver created the possibility of mass melting. The silver content was increased slightly from 1873 until the end of the series in 1891 to 12.5 grams, which would also carry over to the subsequent Barber Half Dollars series.

Seated Liberty Half Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco Mint facilities. A number of low mintage rarities exist for some of the branch mint issues.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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Capped Bust Half Dollars represented the third design for the denomination, following the short lived Flowing Hair and Draped Bust designs. The present series was minted for a significantly longer duration from 1807 to 1839 and in generally higher numbers. Many coins of the series remain available for collectors in circulated condition, although gem examples and certain varieties can be extremely rare.

John Reich was the designer of the Capped Bust Half Dollar, which features a rendition of Liberty facing left. She wears a cap bearing the word “Liberty” with locks of curled hair falling to shoulder length. Thirteen stars surround with the date below. The reverse of the coin features an eagle with wings outstretched and talons grasping a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. A scroll contains the inscription “E Pluribus Unum”, the words “United States of America” and the denomination surround. The design was later modified by Christian Gobrecht for the final years of the series.

Specifications for the series were initially 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper with a weight of 13.48 grams and diameter of 32.5 mm. The edge was lettered with the denomination. With the change to a reeded edge in 1836, the specifications were changed to 90% silver and 10% copper with a weight of 13.36 grams and diameter of 30 mm. Coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint and the New Orleans Mint in the last year of the series.

Capped Bust Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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The first half dollars produced in America were authorized by the Act of April 2, 1792. The design for the Flowing Hair Half Dollar was the same as the half dimes and silver dollars issued in the first year. Although the Flowing Hair Silver Dollars usually get most of the attention, the half dollar denomination is important and rare in its own right.

The coins were minted for only two years from 1794 to 1795. As specified by the Act, the composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The weight of the coins is 13.48 grams, although variance is possible. In the early days of the mint, some overweight planchets were filed and underweight planchets could be plugged. As a result, some surviving Flowing Hair Half Dollars show adjustment marks or silver plugs, although these are not usually detrimental to the collectible value of this important series.

Flowing Hair Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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The Franklin Half Dollar replaced the popular Walking Liberty Half Dollar series which had run from 1916 to 1948. The new series was a dramatic change in design, depicting a famous American instead of the allegorical Liberty figure. It also featured a very different style with broad flat surfaces as opposed to the detailed nature of the prior design.

The obverse of the Franklin Half features a right facing bust of Benjamin Franklin, modeled after a bust prepared by an 18th century sculptor. The reverse features the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and a small eagle added due to the legislative requirement that an eagle appear on the reverse of the denomination. Coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints, but only five years saw production at all three mints. Proof coins were minted at the Philadelphia Mint from 1950 to the end of the series.

Franklin Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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