What years were silver half dollars made? This question often piques the interest of coin collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Silver half dollars, a significant part of American numismatic history, have been produced over a span of more than a century. Understanding the years these coins were minted is crucial for appreciating their historical and monetary value. In this article, we will delve into the production timeline of silver half dollars, exploring the various designs and significant periods in their history.
The first silver half dollars were minted in the United States in 1794, during the early years of the nation’s coinage. These coins, known as Flowing Hair silver half dollars, were designed by artist Robert Scot. The obverse featured a profile portrait of Liberty with flowing hair, while the reverse depicted an eagle with a shield and olive branch. The production of these coins was short-lived, as they were replaced by the Draped Bust design in 1795.
The Draped Bust design, which lasted from 1795 to 1807, featured a portrait of Liberty draped in a shawl, with a liberty cap on her head. During this period, silver half dollars were minted in various years, including 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. The 1803 and 1804 silver half dollars, however, were struck in a much smaller quantity, making them highly sought after by collectors today.
The next significant design change occurred in 1807 when the Capped Bust design was introduced. This design lasted until 1839, with silver half dollars being minted in the years 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, and 1838. The Capped Bust design was characterized by a portrait of Liberty wearing a cap, with the date and motto “LIBERTY” inscribed on the coin.
In 1839, the Seated Liberty design replaced the Capped Bust design and remained in use until 1891. During this period, silver half dollars were minted in the years 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1891. The Seated Liberty design is one of the most iconic in American coinage history, with various variations and mint marks to collect.
The final design of the silver half dollar series was the Barber design, which was introduced in 1892 and continued until 1915. During this period, silver half dollars were minted in the years 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915. The Barber design features a profile portrait of Liberty, with the reverse depicting an eagle with a shield and olive branch.
Understanding the years silver half dollars were made is essential for collectors looking to build a comprehensive collection or identify rare and valuable coins. The history of these coins is rich with symbolism, craftsmanship, and the evolution of American coinage. From the early Flowing Hair design to the iconic Barber design, silver half dollars have left an indelible mark on American numismatic history.
