An Overview of Half Dollars
Introduction
With one-cent pieces, half dollars represent one of two denominations minted with nearly complete continuity from the 1790s to the present time. And, like cents, half dollars enjoy a wide patronage with numismatists today.
The first United States half dollars were minted in 1794. The Flowing Hair design was produced that year and also in 1795, followed by the Draped Bust obverse, Small Eagle reverse style 1796-1797, examples of which are prime rarities today.
No half dollars were coined with dates 1798 to 1800. In 1801 the half dollar again appeared, with the Draped Bust obverse of yore, combined with the new Heraldic Eagle reverse, a style used through part of 1807.
The Capped Bust design, with lettered edge, by John Reich, was introduced in 1807 and continued until 1836. Examples were struck every year except 1816, when there was a disastrous fire at the Mint. The 1807-1836 series is rich for the number of interesting overdates and other die varieties it contains and, as such, it has attracted the attention of many numismatists. Silver dollars were not struck for a long span from 1804 until 1836, and during this era the Capped Bust half dollar reigned as the largest silver coin of the realm. Mintages were large, accounting for the survival of many today.
From 1836 to 1839, two different types of Capped Bust halves with reeded edges were made, the first 1836-1837 with 50 CENTS on the reverse, and the second 1838-1839 with HALF DOL.
