Numismatic

1810 Bust Half Dollar VF

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In the early decades of the United States, the silver half dollar served as a vital workhorse of American commerce. This 1810 issue, struck at the Philadelphia mint, showcases the distinctive Capped Bust design, which was created by John Reich. This particular specimen survives in a Very Fine state of preservation, allowing us to appreciate the artistry of a bygone era. The obverse presents a left facing portrait of Lady Liberty, her hair flowing beneath a soft cap, with the word LIBERTY inscribed above and the date 1810 positioned below. On the reverse, a spread-winged eagle is depicted with a shield across its chest, grasping an olive branch of peace in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other. The national motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM, is displayed on a scroll above the eagle, while the denomination is indicated at the bottom as 50 C. Struck from 0.8924 fine silver, this coin contains 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. Out of an original mintage of 1,276,276 pieces, each surviving coin offers a tangible connection to the early nineteenth century, reflecting the evolving identity and early coinage standards of the young republic.