Numismatic

1838 Liberty Seated Half Dime No Drapery Fine

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Introduced in the late 1830s, the Liberty Seated design brought a fresh artistic vision to United States coinage. This 1838 silver half dime, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, represents the second year of issue for this iconic series. It is a notable early variety characterized by the absence of drapery hanging from Liberty's left elbow, a distinct feature that was modified in later production runs. The obverse displays Liberty seated on a rock, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand rests on a shield. The year 1838 is clearly inscribed below the figure. On the reverse, a delicate wreath encircles the words HALF DIME, which is surrounded by the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck from 90 percent silver, this five-cent piece contains 0.0387 troy ounces of precious metal. Having survived in Fine condition, the coin shows honest wear from its time in nineteenth-century circulation while retaining the core details of Christian Gobrecht's elegant design.