Numismatic

1829 Capped Bust Half Dime Fine

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In 1829, the United States Mint struck a diminutive silver coin that carries a wealth of early American design. This half dime, carrying a face value of five cents, is composed of 0.8924 fine silver, containing 0.0387 troy ounces of the precious metal. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint, this specific specimen survives in Fine condition, showing honest wear that tells a story of its journey through early American commerce. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty facing left, designed by William Kneass. She wears a Phrygian cap, a classic symbol of freedom, with the word LIBERTY clearly inscribed upon her headband. Surrounding her portrait is a ring of stars, with the date 1829 anchored at the bottom. On the reverse, a detailed eagle grips an olive branch and arrows in its talons, representing a desire for peace but a readiness for defense. A striped shield is draped across the eagle's chest. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches over the central design, while the denomination is indicated below as 5 C. representing five cents. This coin offers a fascinating window into the early nineteenth-century monetary system of the United States.