The Half Dollar is a United States coin worth 50 cents. It has been produced since 1794.
The Flowing Hair design was the first type of half dollar issued into circulation. It shares the design of the first dollar, the first half dime and the earliest large cent coins, and features on the obverse a portrait of Miss Liberty with her hair flowing freely behind her - giving the design its name. Sharing a peculiarity of British coinage, the value and denomination are not written on the reverse or the obverse; unlike British coins though, they are still spelled out - but on the edge, with the lettering FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR interrupted by decorations.
This type was only struck by the Philadelphia Mint, which was the only mint in the United States at the time. The design was short-lived and was only issued for two years, after which time it was superseded by the Draped Bust type in 1796. The composition is 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper.
The silver format of the half dollar was debased in 1965, and then changed to base metal in 1971. However, silver coins have never been formally withdrawn or demonetised, and are still legal tender. This, of course, is of academic interest only, as the original half dollars had already disappeared from circulation long before 1965, and their numismatic value is enormously higher than their face value. |
