US Half Dollars
The first half dollars were designed by Robert Scot in 1794 and it weighed 13.48 grams. The first half dollar was composed of .8924 silver and .1076 copper with 32.5mm diameter. The obverse featured a portrait of Liberty facing right, backed by an eagle. In 1796, the design was replaced by the Draped Bust, and then in 1801, the shielded eagle reverse was added.
The issue of half dollars stopped in 1804 and then resumed in 1805. In 1807, the Capped Bust was designed by John Reich. The Capped Bust is also referred as Turban Head. The word LIBERTY was on the cap. On either side of the portrait is a series of stars. The reverse has a modified shielded eagle with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on a banner and 50 c. The coin weighed 13.48 grams. In 1836, Christian Gobrecht redesigned the half dollar coin and the ratio was nine silver to one copper and weighed 13.36 with 30 mm diameter. The design was then replaced by Liberty Seated in 1839. Liberty Seat lasted for more than fifty years.
Liberty Seat weighed 12.44 grams with 30.6 mm diameter. On the reverse is a shield of heraldic eagle holding arrows and branch. Beneath the eagle are the words HALF DOL. In 1866, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed into the reverse design on a banner that is above the eagle’s head.
In 1892, Liberty Head designed by Charles Barber was introduced. The weight is 12.5 grams and nine silver to one copper. The reverse has an eagle with shield and wings spread wide, holding arrows and branch. The mint mark appears directly beneath the eagle’s tail feathers.
Between 1916 and 1947, a full length representation of Liberty on the obverse was introduced. The Liberty was dressed in a gown and strolling along a field. It was designed by A. Weinman. The composition stayed the same 9 silver to 1 copper and 30.6 mm diameter.
Between 1948 and 1963, half dollar coins were redesigned by John R. Sinnock. On the reverse is a large representation of the Liberty Bell. Franklin is shown in profile facing right. The mint mark is on top of the Liberty Bell on the reverse, directly below the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It weighed 12.5 grams and 30.6 mm diameter. It contains .36169 ounce of pure silver.
The current half dollar coins John F Kennedy was designed by Gilory Roberts and Frank Gasparro, the reverse featuring a shield eagle circled by stars. The new design was introduced in 1964 and contains 0.36169 ounce silver. The weight of silver was reduced to 0.14792. It weighs 11.5 grams. In 1971, the silver was totally removed and the new composition is three copper to one nickel. The most rare is 1993 Silver proof and it was minted for general circulation.
