Coin Specifications

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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The Barber Half Dollar was launched along with the similarly designed dime and quarter dollar of the same name in 1892. The series lasted until 1915, after which it was replaced by the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The Barber Half was minted at four different mints, including the Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco facilities. Although there are some lower mintage dates, there is no traditionally key date Barber Half as most coins are available in circulated grades. Some major rarities do exist in gem grades and higher, which can be difficult to acquire for some years. The coins share the common 90% silver composition or “coin silver” used for circulating silver coins of the era.

Barber Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was issued from 1916 to 1947. Along with other designs of the same era, this is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the history of circulating American coinage. The obverse features a rendition of the allegorical Liberty figure standing and striding forward with a hand outstretch. The reverse features an eagle perched on a stone. The designer of the coin was Andrew A Weinman. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. The lowest mintage occured with the 1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar with 208,000 coins struck.

Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coin Specifications

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