Numismatic

1805 Bust Half Dollar VF

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In the early years of the United States Mint, the silver half dollar served as a vital workhorse of American commerce. This 1805 specimen, preserved in Very Fine condition, offers a tangible window into the young republic's coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the coin is composed of 89.24 percent silver, containing 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. The obverse side, engraved by Robert Scot, displays a classic left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty. Her hair is loosely bound, and she is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date 1805 positioned below her bust. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the top edge, though early striking variations sometimes resulted in minor spelling anomalies in the lettering. On the reverse, a proud eagle with outstretched wings is depicted behind a shield, clutching an olive branch and arrows. A decorative wreath surrounds the central image, accompanied by the national motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on a scroll. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the entire design, completing this historic piece of early federal coinage.