1878. Obverse: Liberty head facing left, upon which is a cap, a wheat and cotton wreath, and a band inscribed “LIBERTY;” above, “E PLURIBUS UNUM;” beneath, the date. Thirteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings pointing upwards; in right talon an olive branch with nine leaves; in the left, three arrows. In the field above, “IN GOD WE TRUST;” beneath, a semi-wreath, tied and crossed, reaching upwards to the wings; “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Some pieces of the above date (1878) were coined with eight feathers in the tail during the year, but seven have been adopted.
Trade Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 12, 1873. Weight, 420 grains; fineness, 900.
1873. Obverse: Liberty seated upon a cotton bale, facing left; in her extended right hand an olive branch; in her left a scroll inscribed “LIBERTY;” behind her a sheaf of wheat; beneath, a scroll inscribed “IN GOD WE TRUST;” thirteen stars; “1873.”
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings; in talons three arrows and an olive branch; above, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM;” beneath, on field, “420 grains;” “900 fine.” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size, 24.
Half Dollar.
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 208 grains; fineness, 892.4. Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 206¼ grains. Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900. Weight changed, Act of February 21, 1853, to 192 grains. Weight changed, Act of February 12, 1873, to 12½ grammes, or 192.9 grains.
1794 and 1795. Same type as the dollar of 1794. On the edge, “Fifty cents or half a dollar.” Size, 21.
1796. No. 1. Same type as No. 2, dollar of 1795, with the denomination, “½,” inscribed on the base of the reverse. No. 2. Same, with sixteen stars on the obverse.