|
Interesting Facts About Early U.S. Half Dollars:
-- The Capped Bust engraving designed by John Reich, appeared on all U.S. coins then in production, from the lowliest half cent through the highest denomination half eagle.
-- Capped Bust silver half dollars were struck with screw presses, each die prepared individually with the date, stars and lettering punched by hand. Thus the series has a great number of varieties.
-- Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty designs was used on most U.S. silver coinage during the mid- and late-nineteenth centuries, including the half dime, the dime, the twenty cent piece, the quarter, the half dollar, and the silver dollar.
-- The Seated Liberty half dime was minted with no motto from 1839-1866. The motto "In God We Trust" was added for the 1866-1891 issues.
-- U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber's Liberty Head engraving appeared on three different U.S. silver coin denominations (the dime, quarter and half
dollar).
-- Due to their comparatively low mintages, the vast majority of Barber Liberty Head silver half dollars circulated heavily in America's bygone economy. Just one could buy a big steak dinner in their day.
-- All four U.S. Mints produced Barber Liberty Head silver half dollars: Philadelphia, Denver , New Orleans and San Francisco. The New Orleans Mint struck its last issues and the Denver Mint its first during this series' span. Mintmarks are located below the eagle's tail.
|
