Owner Comments:

In 1840 officials at the Philadelphia hired Robert Ball Hughes as an engraver. Hughes’ first assignment was to revamp the Liberty Seated designs that appeared on all of the silver coins. Hughes’ most notable change was the addition of a large drapery that hangs from Ms. Liberty’s right arm (left arm to the observer). Upon closer examination Hughes’ handing of Ms. Liberty’s body and the folds in her gown are less artfully rendered. Hughes made the fewest changes to the half dollar which reflects much of Gobrecht’s original design.

The 1856 half dime shown above is an attractive Choice Mint State example of the design. It features original, undipped surfaces with a moderate blend of toning and original silver coloring. The coin is more sharply struck that some of the other half dime that are seen from the second half of the 1850s.