Saturday 18th May 2013

Half Dollar Menu

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 20^th century, the half dollar began to disappeared from American commerce. By early in the 21^st century, it has become almost irrelevant to the nation's coinage system.