Numismatic

1817 Bust Half Dollar VG

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In the early decades of the United States, the nation's coinage carried bold symbols of freedom. This 1817 half dollar, minted in Philadelphia, showcases the classic Capped Bust design. Struck in 0.8924 fine silver, the coin contains 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a fascinating era of early American minting, with a total production of 1,215,567 pieces for this specific year. The obverse of the coin displays a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty, wearing her iconic cap. Thirteen stars surround her, representing the original colonies, with the date 1817 positioned at the bottom. The reverse features an American eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons, shielded by the national escutcheon. Above the eagle, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed on a scroll, while the denomination is indicated at the bottom as 50 C.