An iconic symbol of American freedom since the country’s independence, it isn’t hard to see why the 1807 50c Draped Bust half dollar is sought after so intensely by collectors and those who appreciate United States history. With its mintage a mere three decades after the birth of the USA, this outstanding 50c piece is a testament to the new nation’s courageous beginnings and rich cultural legacy. 50c’s obverse, a portrait of Lady Liberty and her flowing locks grace the front of the Draped Bust 50c from the year 1807. A a bust of a Lady Liberty facing right, with her long locks flowing freely. Her hair is curling and flowing gently downwards, and a small part of her dress shown just below the neck. The obverse also shows six stars in front of the bust and seven additional ones behind, representing the original thirteen states in the Union. The inscription "LIBERTY" completes the obverse, appearing above the portrait, with the date, slightly curved, is seen beneath. The reverse of the Draped Bust half dollar features the American bald eagle with wings spread and the American crest in front of it. The "Heraldic Eagle", also known by numismatists as the "Large Eagle" clutches a quiver of arrows on the reverse with the left talons, the direction to which the bird faces, and holds an olive branch with the right talons. The words "E PLURIBUS UNUM" appear on a banner held up by the beak on the reverse. Thirteen stars surround the raptor’s head. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appear in large type around the reverse’s image. The reduction to 13 stars represents a refinement of the earlier Draped Bust coinage, on which the number of stars varied from 15 to 16, depending on the number of states in the Union at the time. Rather than subject this element of the design to continual change, Mint officials settled on a number reflecting the thirteen original colonies. Also of note, there is no marked denomination to indicate its worth of 50 cents. Chief Engraver Robert Scot modeled the 50c Heraldic Eagle after the one on the nation’s Great Seal. Unaccountably, however, he reversed the positions of the arrows and olive branch held in talons, placing the warlike arrows in the symbolically more important dexter (or right) claw and the olive branch of peace in the sinister (or left) claw, thereby contravening the Founding Fathers. The United States Mint wasn’t yet ten years old at the time, but this was already the third different design to appear on the fifty cent pieces, the two earlier series having lasted just two years apiece. Clearly, federal officials were casting about for just the right combination of symbolism and artistry to showcase on the young nation’s coinage. In 1807, Draped Bust 50c gave way to a new version designed by Scot’s assistant, John Reich. This was the Capped Bust 50c type, which turned the portrait from facing right to facing left and tucked her newly curled hair inside a cap. This capped rendition too would be replaced by the Seated Liberty 50c, also capped. Many varieties of the Liberty theme would follow. Silver Dollars had not been minted since 1804, making the half dollar the coin of choice for silver depositors of the era, given its high value. The mintage of these half dollars consists of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Although there are no gold in these coins, they do tend to have a gold hue. The half dollars are 32.5 millimeters and weigh approximately 13.5 grams. NGC grading is dependent on condition, varieties and wear, with most pieces grading no finer than an NGC EF.
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