Definition of the word half dollar

The term "half dollar" refers to a United States coin worth fifty cents. The term came into use in the mid-19th century when silver coins were introduced in denominations of one dollar, half dollar, quarter dollar, dime (ten cents), and half dime (five cents). The "dollar" in our modern sense originated in the 18th century when the Spanish colonial dollar, known as the piece of eight, became widely circulated in the colonies. These silver coins weighed approximately 27 grams and had a value of eight Spanish reales, equivalent to one Spanish dollar. In the early 19th century, the United States minted silver dollar coins, often referred to as "trade dollars," to facilitate trade in the Pacific regions. To provide smaller denominations for domestic use, half dollars, quarters, dimes, and half dimes were also minted. Their values were determined by halving, quartering, and so forth, the value of the trade dollar. As the term "half dollar" implies, this coin represented half the value of a silver dollar. Its obverse (front) bore the image of a woman, Lady Liberty, holding a shield and an olive branch. The reverse side depicted an eagle with an olive branch and arrows. Over time, different designs have appeared on the coin, but the term "half dollar" has remained constant. In conclusion, "half dollar" is an enduring moniker for a United States coin worth fifty cents, whose value is half that of a silver dollar. Its origin lies in the 19th century when the United States mint began producing smaller denominations to meet domestic needs, using theexisting Spanish dollar as a guide for denomination.