Numismatic

1830 Bust Half Dollar Fine (Small 0)

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The year 1830 marked a significant era in early American coinage, represented beautifully by this Capped Bust half dollar. Struck in Philadelphia with a composition of 89.24 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece contains approximately 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a time when silver coins were the workhorses of daily commerce in the expanding United States. The obverse of the coin presents a classic profile of Lady Liberty, her hair draped beneath a cap inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars surround her image, representing the original colonies, with the date 1830 anchored at the bottom. This specific variety is noted for its small zero in the date, a subtle variation that captures the attention of keen observers. On the reverse, a detailed eagle is depicted with a shield across its chest, clutching an olive branch of peace in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other. Above the eagle, a scroll displays the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the denomination is indicated at the bottom as 50 C. This intricate design, created by John Reich, offers a window into the early artistic direction of the United States Mint.