Minted in the days when a Half Dollar bought a fine pair of pants, these coins were intended to be the workhorses of commerce. The obverse features a small head of Miss Liberty facing right, with flowing hair behind, LIBERTY above, and the date below. Eight stars are to the left and seven to the right. The reverse illustrates an open wreath enclosing a "small" eagle perched on a cloud, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding. The borders of this and other half dollars (until over a century later in 1916) have denticles.

Today the coin dated 1794 is a much rarer find. Ten times as many coins were struck in 1795 as the coin became a favorite medium for trade. Examples of both years are apt to be seen in lower grades, from About Good to Fine. Very Fine coins are scarce, Extremely Fine pieces are scarcer yet, and AU coins are rare. Uncirculated examples are seldom met with. Areas of light striking characterize most pieces, as do parallel mint-caused adjustment marks made during the planchet preparation process.

No one can explain why so few of this design were ever made. Perhaps it was with the collector in mind. Because there are only 200 - 300 known to still exist, to find any coin in any grade will pose a terrific challenge to anyone trying to complete a collection.

This design is similar to that of the other silver denominations of the 1796-1797 years. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing right, with flowing hair and a ribbon behind her head, her plunging neckline covered with drapery. LIBERTY is above, and the date is below. Varieties of 1796 exist with 15 and 16 obverse stars, while those of 1797 have 15 stars. The reverse illustrates an open wreath enclosing a small eagle perched on a cloud. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the fraction 1/2 surround.

Most known pieces are in lower grades, About Good to Very Good. Fine pieces are met with less frequency, Very Fine to Extremely Fine coins are rarer still, and coins in AU or better preservation are extreme rarities. Some 1796 half dollars exist with prooflike surfaces.

Curiously, there were more of these Half Dollars minted during this era than there were Quarter Dollars. Consequently there are no rare dates within this span. Although there were no Proof coins minted, one should be able to find an Extremely Fine piece with relative ease.Curiously, there were more of these Half Dollars minted during this era than there were Quarter Dollars. Consequently there are no rare dates within this span. Although there were no Proof coins minted, one should be able to find an Extremely Fine piece with relative ease.

Half dollars minted from 1801 through 1807 continue the Draped Bust obverse motif introduced in 1796. In 1801 the stars were standardized to a count of 13, with seven to the left and six to the right. Miss Liberty appears facing right, her hair flowing behind her head and, tied with a ribbon bow. A gown or drapery covers her low neckline. LIBERTY is above and the date is below. The reverse is an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States and consists of an eagle with a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, and with a scroll inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM in its beak. Above the eagle is an arc of clouds below which is a group of stars. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds.

Almost shocking is the great number of coins minted during this era. Equally shocking is the relatively minuscule number of Proof coins struck. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find one. In 1807 the Capped Bust obverse was introduced. Miss Liberty faces left. She wears a cap secured at the base with a ribbon or band inscribed LIBERTY, with tresses falling to her shoulder. Her low neckline is draped in a cloth or a gown and is secured by a brooch on her shoulder. Seven stars are to the left and six are to the right. The date is below. The reverse depicts an eagle perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows, with E PLURIBUS UNUM above on a scroll and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 50 C. surrounding.

With few scarce varieties in the 1807-1836 range, most are readily obtainable. Specimens of most issues are typically encountered in grades from Fine to Extremely Fine, with some of the earlier dates in the range, 1807 through 1820, sometimes seen in Good to Very Good preservation. AU pieces are not difficult to find, especially of dates in the late 1820s and 1830s. Uncirculated coins, particularly ones in higher ranges of that category are elusive.

It was not uncommon, during this time period, to see both the diameter and total weight of all coins begin to shrink. While many believe it was at the discretion of the mint to shrink the coins, it was actually only through an act of Congress that coins could be reduced in size and weight, specifically weight.

In 1836, Christian Gobrecht modified John Reich's Capped Bust style. The result was a coin with reeded edge, displaying at center the older design of Miss Liberty facing left, wearing a cloth cap with a band inscribed LIBERTY, with tresses falling to her shoulder, and with her bosom draped in a gown secured by a brooch. Six stars are to the left and seven to the right. The date is below. The reverse depicts an eagle perched on a branch and holding three arrows with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and the denomination expressed as 50 CENT'S below.

1836 half dollars of the reeded edge format were produced to the extent of just 1,200 pieces and are rare in all grades today. 1837 half dollars were minted in a quantity of 3,629,820 and are relatively plentiful in grades from Good through Extremely Fine.

Begging for change, but without the room to do it, Gobrecht elected to replace the denomination note, 50 CENTS, with HALF DOL. Maybe the act of cutting the word dollar in half, is a sign of the "cents of humor" Gobrecht had as a designer. After all, he was the creator of the "Silly Head" and "Boopy Head" found on the 1839 CENT.

Certain other changes were affected in the thickness of the reverse letters and the details of the eagle. For the first time, half dollars were struck at a branch mint, New Orleans, The 1838-0 half dollar is one of Americas prime rarities. It is believed that just 20 were struck, nearly all of which had prooflike surfaces. In the following year, 1839, a more generous mintage of 178,976 Half Dollars occurred at New Orleans.

The type set collector will probably seek an example of the 1838 or 1839 Philadelphia issue, each of which was minted to the extent of more than a million. Examples are readily available in grades from Very Good through Extremely Fine.

Most interesting is the fact that this Half Dollar, as compared to the issue prior, was slightly larger by .6 mm in diameter. But, like other coins of the age, this coin began shrinking in total weight in the year 1854. The Liberty Seated motif, without motto on the reverse, was minted in the half dollar series from 1839 through 1866.

The obverse depicts Miss Liberty seated on a rock, holding in her left hand a liberty cap on a pole and with her right hand holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars are above, and the date is below. The reverse is similar to the proceeding and consists of an eagle perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and HALF DOL. below. Numerous variations exist throughout the series, including the absence of drapery from Miss Liberty's elbow on certain issues, different sizes of reverse lettering, and different date numeral sizes. While there are some scarce issues within this span, there are enough common varieties that the numismatist will have no difficulty acquiring examples in grades from Good through Extremely Fine. AU coins likewise appear with frequency. Uncirculated pieces are scarcer, and superb Uncirculated coins are quite rare.

As with other coins of the same era, a slight modification was made to the weight in which they were produced. The increase from 192 grains to 192.9 was signified by the addition of arrows at the date. For this reason, certain Half Dollars dated 1873 and all of those dated 1874 included arrows. Coins of earlier and later dates in this series did not include arrows.

The regular Liberty Seated design, which had been in use since 1839, was modified in 1866 by the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse. The motto appears on a scroll or ribbon above the eagle. A similar change was effected in the quarter and dollar denominations. Production was continuous at the Philadelphia Mint from 1866 onward. Business strikes were also made at San Francisco and Carson City, with several of the Carson City varieties, particularly those in the early 1870s, being rare today. Business strike Philadelphia Mint issues from 1879 through 1890 were produced in low numbers, as the Mint was busy turning out unprecedented quantities of silver dollars at the time.

Extremely Fine coins are scarcer, AU pieces are scarcer yet, and Uncirculated coins can be called very scarce. Superb Uncirculated pieces are quite rare. Proofs exist in proportion to their original mintages.

Part way through 1873 the authorized weight of the Half Dollar denomination was increased slightly from 192 grains to 192.9 grains, the latter equaling precisely 12.50 grams. To signify this change, arrowheads were placed to the left and right of the date. After 1874 the weight standard remained the same, but the arrows were no longer used. Otherwise, the Liberty Seated with IN GOD WE TRUST motto type is the same as that used from 1866 through 1891 inclusive.

The Philadelphia Mint produced the greatest number of coins during the 1873-1874 years, so the type set collector normally gravitates toward one of these. Examples are readily available in grades from Good through Very Fine, but are quite scarce in Extremely Fine grade, scarcer yet in AU preservation and are rare in Uncirculated state. Superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare. Proofs exist in proportion to the original mintages.

In 1892 the half dollar was redesigned. Designer Charles E. Barber gave Miss Liberty a less feminine more athletic look. She now faces right, her hair is in a Phrygian cap, and a wreath of laurel encircles her head giving the appearance of a crowned Roman athlete. The word LIBERTY appears on a small band or ribbon above her forehead. IN GOD WE TRUST is above, six stars are to the left, seven to the right, and the date is below. The reverse is an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States and features a heraldic eagle grasping an olive branch and arrows and holding in its beak a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM. A galaxy of stars is above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR surround. Mintage was continuous at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints from 1892 through 1915, with additional pieces being supplied for many years by New Orleans and Denver.

The type set collector will encounter no difficulty in acquiring specimens in grades of Good or Very Good. Fine pieces, believe it or not, are scarce, Very Fine coins are very scarce, and Extremely Fine coins can be called rare in the context of modem issues. AU coins are rarer yet, Uncirculated pieces are still more rare, and superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare.

Many collectors consider this motif to be the most beautiful ever struck. Curiously the integrity of the composition was maintained throughout the wartime period. While other metals such as copper, tin and nickel appeared to have strategic value; none of the silver coins of the era were changed in composition.

The obverse depicts Miss Liberty walking toward the sun, her right arm outstretched, her left arm carrying a bundle of branches, and with a starry cape behind. LIBERTY is above, while IN GOD WE TRUST is to the lower right, and the date is below. The motif seems to have been inspired by Saint-Gaudens' motif for the illustrious double eagle of 1907. The reverse shows an eagle perched on a rocky crag, from which grows a pine branch, symbol of strength. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above, E PLURIBUS UNUM is to the left, and HALF DOLLAR is below. The design has been a favorite with numismatists ever since the time of issue, and many consider it to be one of the most beautiful motifs ever employed on a circulating coin.

Grades available range from Good through superb Uncirculated, although sharply struck pieces are decidedly scarce. Proofs were minted from 1936 through 1942 and are available in proportion to the original mintages.

It is remarkable the number of proof coins struck during this period. It was perhaps realized that paper currency would soon dominate the channels of commerce, as these coins seemed to be struck largely with the collector in mind. Ben would be proud that it was his likeness that so much effort was put into preserving.

Coins in excellent condition can still be found in common dates. Buying bags of so-called junk silver can produce a real find although many will have marks due to coin to coin contact in the bag.

The Franklin half dollar depicts a head and shoulders portrait of Franklin on the obverse, facing right, with LIBERTY above and IN GOD WE TRUST below. The date is to the right. The reverse shows the Liberty Bell with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and HALF DOLLAR below. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is to the left while a small eagle is to the right. At the time of issue, the design was criticized by many, perhaps because it is rather plain in comparison to the "classic" Liberty Walking style. However, in recent years Franklin half dollars have emerged as popular pieces and today they are highly desired by numismatists.

The type set collector can easily obtain a business strike in any desired grade from Very Fine to superb Uncirculated, although sharply struck Uncirculated pieces showing full bell lines on the reverse and other minutely detailed areas are elusive for some issues. Proofs were minted from 1950 through 1964.

The Liberty Seated Half with arrows at date and ray on the reverse design was modified in 1854 by dropping the rays on the reverse but retaining the obverse arrows. Coins were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco mints, the latter mint began production in 1855.

In 1853, when the authorized weight of the half dollar was reduced from 206.25 grains to 192 grains, the change was noted on the coins by the addition or arrows on each side of the date on the obverse and rays on the reverse. Otherwise the Liberty seated motif went unchanged from 1839.