Numismatic

1825 Bust Half Dollar AU-58 NGC

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The 1825 Capped Bust half dollar represents a fascinating era in early United States coinage. Struck in 0.8924 fine silver with a precious metal content of 0.3868 troy ounces, this fifty-cent piece showcases the detailed engraving work of John Reich. The coin is preserved in an exceptional About Uncirculated 58 condition, offering viewers a remarkably clear look at the design elements that circulated during the first half of the nineteenth century. On the obverse, a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty is depicted wearing a Phrygian cap, a traditional symbol of freedom. Her hair flows down her neck, secured by a band inscribed with the word LIBERTY, while the year 1825 is positioned clearly beneath the bust. This classic representation of Liberty is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies. The reverse features a bald eagle with a striped shield draped across its chest. In its talons, the eagle grasps an olive branch and three arrows, symbolizing a desire for peace alongside a readiness for defense. Hovering above the eagle is a scroll bearing the national motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the central design. This combination of symbolic imagery and early American craftsmanship makes the 1825 half dollar a captivating subject for study.