Numismatic

1838 Reeded Edge Half Dollar VF

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In 1838, the Philadelphia Mint produced a half dollar that marked a significant era in American coinage design. This fifty-cent piece, struck in 90 percent silver with a metal weight of 0.3868 troy ounces, showcases a distinct reeded edge rather than the lettered edges of earlier decades. This specific coin has survived in Very Fine condition, allowing observers to appreciate the intricate details of its mid-nineteenth-century artistry. The obverse presents a graceful left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, her hair adorned with a band inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Beneath her bust, the year 1838 is clearly struck. This elegant depiction was envisioned by Christian Gobrecht, whose work defined the look of United States silver coinage during this period. On the reverse, a powerful bald eagle clutches an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons, its breast protected by a striped shield. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches over the eagle, while the denomination is abbreviated below as HALF DOL. This combination of patriotic symbols and refined typography makes the 1838 half dollar a captivating object for historical study.