Capped Bust Half Dollar
$105 – $485,450
- Total Coins
- 11
- Key Dates
- 5 + 3 semi
- Value Range
- $105 - $485,450
- Most Valuable
- 1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Capped Bust Half Dollar coins were minted from 1807-1839, designed by John Reich. This series includes 11 coins in our database. Values range from $105 to $485,450. The most sought-after is the 1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar.
All Capped Bust Half Dollar Coins
| Year | Mint | Mintage | Status | Value Range | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1807 | P | 186,992 | Semi-Key | $205 - $190,650 | View → |
| 1809 | P | 819,477 | Key Date | $625 - $481,775 | View → |
| 1811 | P | 373,075 | $105 - $91,475 | View → | |
| 1813 | P | 663,966 | Key Date | $610 - $438,375 | View → |
| 1815 | P | 931,083 | Key Date | $565 - $470,825 | View → |
| 1817 | P | 853,066 | Key Date | $555 - $416,400 | View → |
| 1820 | P | 449,332 | Key Date | $625 - $485,450 | View → |
| 1822 | P | 563,810 | Semi-Key | $150 - $131,000 | View → |
| 1825 | P | 775,171 | Semi-Key | $150 - $111,175 | View → |
| 1827 | P | 627,523 | $125 - $82,200 | View → | |
| 1838 | No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) | 3,546,000 | $105 - $71,675 | View → |
1807 P
Mintage: 186,992
1809 P
Mintage: 819,477
1811 P
Mintage: 373,075
1813 P
Mintage: 663,966
1815 P
Mintage: 931,083
1817 P
Mintage: 853,066
1820 P
Mintage: 449,332
1822 P
Mintage: 563,810
1825 P
Mintage: 775,171
1827 P
Mintage: 627,523
1838 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Mintage: 3,546,000
Key Dates & Rarities
The most sought-after coins in the Capped Bust Half Dollar series, ranked by highest recorded value.
1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Early U.S. coinage - highly collectible
1809 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Early U.S. coinage - highly collectible
1815 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Early U.S. coinage - highly collectible
1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Early U.S. coinage - highly collectible
1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar
Early U.S. coinage - highly collectible
Capped Bust Half Dollar History
The Capped Bust Half Dollar series began in 1807 to replace the Draped Bust design. Mint Director Robert Patterson hired German immigrant John Reich to redesign the coinage. Reich earned a salary of $600 a year for his work as an assistant engraver. He depicted Liberty wearing a cloth cap, a symbol of freedom from the French Revolution. This design gave the coins a more uniform look and improved the strike quality across the series. The series lasted until 1839. In 1836, the Mint transitioned from screw presses to steam-powered coining presses. This shift forced a change in the manufacturing process and design specifications. The Mint also removed the '50 CENTS' denomination from the reverse and moved it to the obverse as '50 C.' in 1837. Christian Gobrecht updated the design in 1839, marking the end of the Capped Bust era before the introduction of the Seated Liberty design.
Collecting Tips
Focus on finding common dates like 1834, 1835, or 1836 to start your collection. These years saw high production numbers and offer the best entry point for new collectors. Look for coins with original, problem-free surfaces, as many pieces show signs of harsh cleaning or deep scratches. Avoid coins with smoothed-over fields or unnatural toning. Check the edges for file marks, which often indicate counterfeit attempts or attempts to remove silver from the coin. Buy coins in Very Good to Fine condition to get the most value for your money.
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