Numismatic

1826 Bust Half Dollar AU

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This silver half dollar from 1826 offers a fascinating look into the early coinage of the United States. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the coin is composed of 89.24 percent silver, containing approximately 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. Its survival in such a high grade, classified as Almost Uncirculated, allows us to appreciate the subtle details of its early nineteenth-century artistry just as it looked nearly two centuries ago. The obverse side displays a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, her hair draped in a cap. The word LIBERTY is clearly visible on her headband, with the date 1826 positioned directly below the bust. This design, created by John Reich, represents a classic era of American numismatic art. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle dominates the center. The bird holds an olive branch in one claw and a bundle of arrows in the other, symbolizing a desire for peace alongside a readiness for defense. A striped shield is draped across the eagle's chest, and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the design, accompanied by the denomination marked as 50 C.