The US 1868 Half Dollar, designed by John A. Ruffini, features a bust of Liberty on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. Struck in 90% silver, it reflected the U.S. economy’s reliance on precious metals during the post-Civil War period. The US 1868 Half Dollar was minted during Reconstruction, when the nation was rebuilding after the Civil War, and silver remained a key component of American currency.
Politically, the US 1868 Half Dollar symbolized national recovery and unity after the war. Economically, the coin’s silver content reflected the nations commitment to the silver standard. The US 1868 Half Dollar remains a significant relic of the U.S. post-war era.