Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Liberty bust portrait.
Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, arrows, and HALF DOL. below.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1838–1839: Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded Edge, "HALF DOL." on Reverse)
1838–1839: Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded Edge, "HALF DOL." on Reverse) history
1838–1839: Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded Edge, "HALF DOL." on Reverse) replaced the 50 CENTS reverse inscription with HALF DOL. while retaining the reeded edge and close-collar format. It is the final Capped Bust half-dollar subtype before Seated Liberty coinage began in 1839.
The 13.36-gram, .900-silver standard reflects the Coinage Act of 1837. Die varieties and the 1838-O branch-mint issue make mintmark and reverse details especially important.