Numismatic

1838 Reeded Edge Half Dollar AU

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In 1838, the United States Mint produced a half dollar that showcased a significant shift in coin manufacturing, featuring a reeded edge rather than the lettered edges of earlier eras. Struck in Philadelphia from 90 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3866 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a fascinating moment in American coinage, combining technical updates with a beautifully realized aesthetic. The obverse of the coin displays a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, who wears a classic Phrygian cap with her hair flowing downward. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed across her hair band, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the year 1838 positioned at the bottom. On the reverse, an American eagle stands with a patriotic shield draped across its chest. In its talons, the eagle firmly grasps an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing the dual concepts of peace and military readiness. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches over the central design, while the denomination is abbreviated at the bottom as HALF DOL.