Although we are still under construction, if you are looking for information on Capped Bust Half Dollar coinage, you’ve come to the right place. This site is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge of Capped Bust Half dollars of 1807-1836. The history behind of the Capped Bust Half dollars, the first United States Mint and the men & machines that made them when the country was young and struggling to survive. We’ll also cover the many different ways that you can collect them, safe storage and handling methods and the buying and selling for these classic American rare coins.
Our long range future plans include a forum where everyone can chat about anything related to the Capped Bust Halves, a monthly newsletter and research articles where you will find the latest news about collecting Capped Bust halves.
If you're looking for where you can obtain one these rare coins of history, A&D Coin And Jewelry Exchange in Scarmento CA can help. If you have one you want to sell they will make you a fair offer to purchase from you. They are one of Sacramento's leading coin shops and rare US coin buyers. They also buy and sell all other gold & silver bllion coins.
Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1807-1839
Number of Types: 2
Mints: Philadelphia and New Orleans
Type 1 Composition: 0.8924 silver, 0.1076 copper
Type 2 Composition: 0.900 silver, 0.100 copper
Type 1 Diameter: 32.5 mm
Type 2 Diameter: 30 mm
Type 1 Weight: 13.48 grams (0.3869 ounces of silver)
Type 2 Weight: 13.36 grams (0.3867 ounces of silver)
Type 1 Total Mintage: approximately 82,339,124
Type 2 Total Mintage: approximately 8,748,972
Types
During 1836, Christian Gobrecht modified Reich's design and changed the composition of the coin giving us two type coins for the series:
Type 1 Capped Bust Lettered Edge - 1807 to 1836
Type 2 Capped Bust Reeded Edge - 1836 to 1839
Type 2 coins removed the traditional coin lettering in favor of a reeded edge. The obverse design was modified slightly while the reverse removed the scroll with the words E PLURIBUS UNUM. Additional design modifications included the 1836 to 1837 issues with the denomination 50 CENTS below the eagles claws and 1838 to 1839 issues with the denomination HALF DOL. below the eagles claws
General Market Notes
The Capped Bust is readily available to most collectors and typically can be found in the collector grades of G to VF and are affordable for most collectors. Higher grades of XF to BU are more difficult to locate and their price premium is reflective of that.
For collectors on a small limited budget you will probably want to limit yourself to a grade of Good to Very Good.
Excluding errors and over-dates, the only key to the series is the 1836 Type 2 issue with a mintage of only 1200 coins.