Numismatic

1838 Reeded Edge Half Dollar VG

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In 1838, the Philadelphia Mint produced a fifty-cent piece that represents a fascinating moment in early United States coinage. Struck in 90% silver, this half dollar contains 0.3866 troy ounces of precious metal. It is distinguished by its reeded edge, a technological feature that helped protect the coin from clipping and shaving. The design, created by Christian Gobrecht, presents a classic vision of American iconography. On the obverse, a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty appears, her hair flowing beneath a traditional Phrygian cap which is inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, with the year 1838 positioned at the bottom. The reverse side displays a powerful bald eagle with a patriotic shield draped across its chest. In its talons, the eagle grasps an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing a desire for peace alongside a readiness for defense. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination HALF DOL. frame this central image, marking the coin as a fully backed sovereign issue of the United States.