Capped
Bust (1807-1839)
In 1807 Mint Engraver John Reich's Capped Bust, Lettered Edge design
replaced the Draped Bust design on the half dollar. The obverse of the
half dollar features Lady Liberty wearing a cap bearing the word.... click
here to read more
Liberty
Seated (1839-1891)
The Capped Bust Half Dollars were replaced by the Liberty Seated Half
Dollars in 1839. The obverse of the Liberty Seated Half Dollar features
Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht's rendition of Liberty.... click
here to read more
Barber
or Liberty Head (1892-1915)
In 1887, Mint Director James P. Kimball informed the US Congress that
he was requesting a coinage redesign because he felt the US coinage was
inferior to other countries. He proposed a process that would allow
distinguished artists to participate.... click
here to read more
Walking
Liberty (1916-1947)
The Coinage Act of 1890 required that each coin design be in production
for a minimum of 25 years. In 1915, U.S. Mint Director Robert W.
Woolley misinterpreted the act and determined that no coin design could
stay in production.... click
here to read more
Franklin
(1948-1963)
In 1948 the Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar replaced the Walking Liberty
Half Dollar. The design of the coin was created by John R. Sinnock,
then the Mint's chief sculptor-engraver.... click
here to read more
Kennedy
(1964-Date)
After President Kennedy's death in 1963, it was decided that either a
quarter or a half dollar should be issued in his honor. Mrs. Kennedy
did not want the Washington quarter replaced and the half dollar was
agreed upon. Initially the Kennedy Half Dollars were minted .... click
here to read more
Check Out (
Red Book of U.S. Coins
