United states | |
| Value | 50 US Dollars |
|---|---|
| Mass | 83.58 g |
| Diameter | 50.80 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition | 90% Au 10% Cu |
| Years of minting | 1877 |
| Mint marks | None (half union patterns were minted at the Philadelphia Mint) |
| Obverse | |
_Obverse.jpg) | |
| Design | Liberty |
| Designer | William Barber |
| Design date | 1877 |
| Reverse | |
_Reverse.jpg) | |
| Design | Eagle |
| Designer | William Barber |
| Design date | 1877 |
The half union (separate varieties known as J-1546 through J-1549[1]) was a United States pattern coin with a face value of fifty U.S. Dollars. It is often thought of as one of the most significant and well-known patterns in the history of the U.S. Mint. The basic design, featuring Liberty on the obverse, was slightly modified from the similar $20 "Liberty Head" Double Eagle, which was designed by James B. Longacre and minted from 1849 to 1907.
Today, two gold specimens belong to the Smithsonian. No others are known to exist. There are also copper specimens of the coin that can go for more than $300,000 in PF-65 condition. The half union was never released for circulation.
Some half unions can have a somewhat smaller or larger head than others.
- ^ Judd, J. Hewitt (2009). Bowers, Q. David (ed.). United States Pattern Coins (9 ed.).