United States 1837 half dollar
This type of half dollar is a transition between the long series of bust half dollars (1807-36) and the even longer series of liberty seated half dollars (1839-91). Like its predecessor, it bears a draped bust of Liberty but it was struck on steam presses in a closed collar, hence the reeded edge instead of the old lettered edge. The reverse was freshened up and the motto dropped, resulting in a design very like that adopted for the liberty seated half. The 1836 reeded edge is rare but the 1837 is common. In 1838, the reverse was redesigned again and the denomination changed to read "HALF DOLLAR" instead of "50 CENTS." This specimen has a clashed die reverse, most visible as a line extending from the eagle's left wing.
Recorded mintage: 3,629,820.
Specification: 13.36 g, 0.900 fine silver, .386 troy oz ASW, reeded edge, designed by Christian Gobrecht.
Catalog reference: KM 58.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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