Numismatic

1829 Bust Half Dollar XF-40 NGC

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The year 1829 saw the creation of this Capped Bust half dollar, a silver coin that circulated during the early decades of the United States. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3868 ounces of silver with a purity of 0.8924. It survived the eras of early American commerce to be graded in Extra Fine 40 condition today, preserving the artistry of a bygone era. On the obverse, the profile of Lady Liberty faces left, her hair flowing beneath a traditional Phrygian cap. A headband across her cap clearly displays the word LIBERTY, while the date 1829 is positioned directly below the portrait. This design, created by John Reich, represents one of the most iconic depictions of liberty in early American coinage. The reverse of the coin features a powerful eagle with a shield draped across its chest. In its talons, the eagle grasps an olive branch alongside a cluster of arrows, symbolizing a dual message of peace and military readiness. This 1829 half dollar represents a mintage of 3,712,156 pieces, offering a tangible connection to the early nineteenth century.