Numismatic

1809 Bust Half Dollar VF

---

In the early years of the United States Mint, silver coinage served as a primary driver of daily commerce. The 1809 Capped Bust half dollar represents a fascinating chapter in this formative era of American money. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3868 troy ounces of silver, with a purity of 0.8924. Out of an original mintage of 1,405,810 pieces, survivors like this one, graded in Very Fine condition, allow us to study the artistry of early federal coinage up close. Designed by John Reich, the coin features a distinct left-facing profile of Lady Liberty on the obverse. She wears a soft cap inscribed with the word LIBERTY, her hair curling gently down her neck. Thirteen stars surround her portrait, representing the original colonies, with the date 1809 positioned at the bottom of the design. The reverse displays a bold American eagle with wings spread, clutching a bundle of arrows and an olive branch in its talons, symbolizing the young nation's readiness for both war and peace. A shield is placed over the eagle's chest, while a scroll unfurls above with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The surrounding inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the denomination 50 C. positioned at the very bottom, marking this historic silver coin's face value.