Classic Head (1834-1838)

In 1834 the weight of the half eagle was reduced from 8.75 to 8.36 grams, enough to lower the bullion value below the face value, thus discouraging the mass melting that destroyed so many of the older issues. (Of course, the Mint was one of the biggest offenders, taking older, heavy-weight coins and turning them into the new, lighter-weight versions.) This accounts for the huge mintage of 1834 half eagles (657,460 coins), more than two times the previous mintage record set in 1820.

Liberty lost her cap on this type, but the most obvious change was the removal of the scroll from the reverse, above the eagle's head. Apparently, the theme of E PLURIBUS UNUM {"Out of Many, One") was considered repetitive since UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was already on the reverse.

This type was produced at Philadelphia (1834 to 1838), Charlotte (1838 only), and Dahlonega (1838 only). Mintages began high and remained so, though smaller in the final years. Quantities from the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints were low, since they relied on local sources for their gold. As with the previous type, the 1834 Classic Head half eagles are found with either a Plain 4 or a Crosslet 4. The Classic Head type ended in 1838 and was replaced by the Liberty Head design the following year.

Designed by William Kneass. For this type, Kneass used a different face of Liberty, here with a classic, almost perfectly straight nose. Kneass removed Liberty's cap, revealing tight curls held in place with a headband inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Tresses fall down the side and back of her neck. Thirteen stars surround the head, and the date appears below the bust. The reverse is a slightly modified version of the previous, now lacking the scroll and motto. Edge: reeded. Standards: weight, 8.36 grams; composition, 89.92% gold / 10.08% silver and copper (changed to 90% gold / 10% silver and copper in 1837); diameter, 22.5 mm.