The Capped Bust Half Dollar was introduced in 1807 as the third series for the denomination.
The Seated Liberty design was based on Britannia, who had been prominently featured on British coins. Artist Thomas Sully made a number of sketches, which United States Mint Assistant Engraver Christian Gobrecht adapted to be suitable for coinage. The obverse features an image of Liberty seated on a rock, facing left. One hand rests upon a shield with the inscription LIBERTY, while the other hand holds a pole with a cap atop. An arrangement of thirteen stars appears to the right and left, with the date below.
The reverse design was similar to the one used for the prior Capped Bust series, with some small modifications to the size and visual appearance. An eagle appears at center with a shield at its breast and an olive branch and bundle of arrows grasped in its talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears above, with the denomination expressed as HALF DOL. below.
