Seated Half Dollar with Motto (1866-1873, 1875-1891) – In response to the religious fervor that inspired the nation during the Civil War, the Mint began adding the Motto IN GOD WE TRUST to all its coinages. It began in 1864 with the 2-cent piece and was added to the half dollar in 1866. It remained on the concurrent half dollar designs in some form up to the present time. The motto addition was achieved by changing Gobrecht’s reverse design with a ribbon above the heraldic eagle depicting the inscription. The added device was included on all varieties of the half for the duration of its production. The Motto half is the more common type version of the Seated design.
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