Numismatic

1829 Bust Half Dollar AU (Sm Letters)

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This silver half dollar from 1829 offers a window 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. It represents the Capped Bust design era, a period characterized by detailed engraving and hand-finished artistry. The obverse displays a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty. Her hair is draped beneath a cap inscribed with the word LIBERTY, surrounded by stars representing the young nation, with the date 1829 positioned clearly at the bottom. On the reverse, an American eagle is depicted with a patriotic shield across its chest. The eagle holds a symbolic olive branch in one claw and a bundle of arrows in the other, representing both peace and defense. Above the eagle, a scroll bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the face value is indicated at the bottom as 50 C.