Numismatic

1829 Bust Half Dollar VF (Sm Letters)

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In 1829, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a silver half dollar that showcases the early artistry of American coinage. Minted with a silver purity of 0.8924, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. This specific coin survives in a preserved Very Fine condition, allowing us to appreciate the intricate details of its early nineteenth-century design. The obverse of the coin displays a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty, her hair draped beneath a cap inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Thirteen stars surround her image, representing the original colonies, with the date 1829 anchored at the bottom. This classic depiction captures the spirit of a young nation defining its visual identity. On the reverse, a detailed eagle dominates the center, its chest protected by a striped shield. In its talons, the eagle grasps a cluster of arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing both strength and peace. Above the eagle, a scroll displays the national motto, while the denomination is clearly marked at the bottom as 50 C. This coin represents a fascinating era of early American silver coinage, offering a tangible connection to the decade of the 1820s.