Half Dollar Menu
Half Dollar Overview
Overview of U.S. Half Dollar
Congress passed the law authorizing the U.S. Mint and spelling out coin denominations
and specifications on April 2, 1792. The first copper coins went into production in
1793, and two years later the first silver coins were produced. The importance of
the half Dollar was underscored when in 1794, the United States silver coinage began
and the half dollar was one of the first three silver denominations to be issued, the
other two were the silver dollar and half dime. The Mint planned to produce dollars
first, but after producing 1,800 acceptable pieces, the press broke down because of
the size and weight of the Silver Dollar.
Mint director Rittenhouse ordered suspension of Dollar production until the press
could be repaired or replaced (it took nearly six months). During this time, the
Mint was under pressure to coin the silver bullion that had been left by depositors.
This demand was met by coining approximately 5,300 half Dollars in 1794. Thus, the
two largest U.S. silver coins assume their natural role: the dollar as a showpiece
and the half dollar as a workhorse.
The half Dollar originally preformed a significant function and carried exceptional
weight in American commerce. But, the role it played in America's formative years
has drastically changed. Beginning near the middle of the 20th century, the half
dollar began to disappeared from American commerce. By early in the 21st century,
it has become almost irrelevant to the nation's coinage system.
Click Here for:
U.S. Bust Half Dollars