Numismatic

1822 Bust Half Dollar VG

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In the early decades of the United States, the half dollar served as a vital workhorse of domestic commerce. This 1822 silver coin, struck at the Philadelphia mint, represents a fascinating era of American coining history. Crafted with a silver purity of 0.8924, it contains approximately 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. Out of an original mintage of 1,559,573 pieces, this survivor is certified in Very Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that circulated through the hands of early Americans. The artistry of John Reich is displayed on both sides of this historic fifty-cent piece. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a capped bust, surrounded by stars, with the year 1822 positioned below the bust. The inscription LIBERTY is clearly integrated into her cap. This design captures the aesthetic sensibilities of a young nation defining its visual identity. On the reverse, a powerful heraldic eagle dominates the center, its chest protected by a striped shield. The eagle holds symbols of both peace and defense, clutching an olive branch in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other. Above the eagle, the scroll reads E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination 50 C. frame the central design, completing a powerful emblem of early American sovereignty.