The story uses the half-dollar to symbolize the value of hard work, maturity, and learning life lessons. Almanzo learns that only through work can one be rewarded with money, which can buy both wants, such as lemonade, and needs, such as clothing or a farming tool. The half-dollar is the largest amount of money Almanzo has ever been given. Father makes sure Almanzo understands it’s worth much more than the nickel he asked for, thus instilling a priceless lesson about the value of hard work:

Father looked at him a long time. Then he took out his wallet and opened it, and slowly he took out a round, big silver half-dollar. He asked: ‘Almanzo, do you know what this is?’ ‘Half a dollar,’ Almanzo answered. ‘Yes. But do you know what half a dollar is?’ Almanzo didn’t know it was anything but half a dollar. ‘It’s work, son,’ Father said. [...] ‘That’s what’s in this half-dollar, Almanzo. The work that raised half a bushel of potatoes is in it.’ Almanzo looked at the round piece of money that Father held up. It looked small, compared with all that work (182).

Almanzo recognizes that hours of sweaty, physical work turn into money, learning money should be valued highly for all the time, effort, and strain that goes into earning it.