Numismatic

1817 Bust Half Dollar XF

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In the early decades of the United States Mint, silver coinage carried a distinct, hand-crafted character. The 1817 half dollar is a remarkable survivor from this era, struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a silver purity of 0.8924. Containing approximately 0.3868 troy ounces of silver, this fifty-cent piece represents the early monetary system of a young nation finding its footing. The obverse of the coin displays a classic profile of Lady Liberty, facing right, with her hair flowing beneath a soft cap. The word LIBERTY is inscribed above her, with the year 1817 anchored at the bottom. This design, created by John Reich, captures the early American aesthetic of freedom and sovereignty. On the reverse, a detailed eagle takes center stage, its chest protected by a striped shield. The eagle holds both an olive branch of peace and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing strength and defense. Above the eagle, a scroll bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the surrounding inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. At the very bottom, the denomination is indicated by the shorthand 50 C., a charming detail from a time before modern standardized coin edges.