Design and Specifications of the Capped Bust Half Dollar

The Capped Bust Half Dollar series was introduced as part of a redesign of American coinage under President Thomas Jefferson. It replaced the Draped Bust design and represented a more robust and distinctly American image. This series played a crucial role in commerce during the early 19th century, as half dollars were one of the most commonly used denominations in daily transactions.
Weight 13.48 grams
Diameter 32.5 mm
Mint Marks No mint marks until 1838; O (New Orleans) used in 1838-1839
Composition 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
Obverse Design Left-facing bust of Liberty wearing a cap, surrounded by stars
Reverse Design Eagle with shield, holding arrows and olive branch
Obverse Designer John Reich
Reverse Designer John Reich
Years of Minting 1807-1839

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Capped Bust Half Dollars significantly impacts their value, with well-preserved examples commanding substantial premiums. Uncirculated specimens are particularly valuable. Notable errors and varieties, such as the 1817/4 overdate, can dramatically increase a coin’s rarity and value. Additionally, early dates and certain mintmarks tend to be scarcer and more valuable in the series.
1815/2 47,150 minted; rare overdate variety
1817/4 Unknown mintage; extremely rare overdate variety
1838-O 116,000 minted; first year of New Orleans mintage, scarce
1839-O 178,976 minted; last year of Capped Bust design, transitional year
1807 Small Stars 750,500 minted; scarce in high grades

Explore Capped Bust Half Dollar Values by Year

1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839

Most Valuable Capped Bust Half Dollar

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1836 Half Dollar Lettered Edge (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $1,100.00 –
1826 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $1,100.00 –
1829 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $1,500.00 –
1833 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1832 Half Dollar Large Letters (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $1,750.00 –
1827 Half Dollar Square Base 2 (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $1,700.00 –
1832 Half Dollar Small Letters (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1838 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,350.00 –
1831 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1834 Half Dollar Large Date, Small Letters (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1825 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $1,750.00 –
1824 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $2,000.00 –
1830 Half Dollar Small 0 (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1823 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,750.00 –
1835 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1828 Half Dollar Square Base 2, Large 8s (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $1,600.00 –
1837 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $55.00 – $1,250.00 –
1821 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $2,350.00 –
1830 Half Dollar Large 0 (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $1,100.00 –
1818 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $3,500.00 –
1809 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $3,250.00 –
1808 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $6,000.00 –
1834 Half Dollar Small Date, Small Letters (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,100.00 –
1812 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $3,000.00 –
1822 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $2,250.00 –
1807 Half Dollar Large Stars (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $18,500.00 –
1813 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $4,250.00 –
1817 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $3,750.00 –
1829/7 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $2,250.00 –
1824/1 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $3,500.00 –
1810 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $3,500.00 –
1819 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $2,750.00 –
1836 Half Dollar 50/00, Lettered Edge (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $3,000.00 –
1811 Half Dollar Large 8 (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $4,000.00 –
1838-O Half Dollar, BM (Proof) $350,000.00 – $450,000.00 –
1831 Half Dollar (Proof) – $85,000.00 – $150,000.00
1815/2 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $1,750.00 – $25,000.00 –
1820 Half Dollar Sq. 2, Lg Date, No Knob (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $4,500.00 –
1814 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $3,500.00 –
1823 Half Dollar Broken 3 (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $7,500.00 –
1827 Half Dollar Curl Base 2 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $2,250.00 –
1828 Half Dollar Curl Base 2, Knob (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $2,250.00 –
1809 Half Dollar III Edge (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $6,500.00 –
1838 Half Dollar (Proof) – $200,000.00 – $500,000.00
1812/1 Half Dollar Large 8 (Regular Strike) $750.00 – $60,000.00 –
1817/4 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $150,000.00 – $600,000.00 –
1824/4 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $3,250.00 –
1836 Half Dollar Reeded Edge (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $10,000.00 –
1839 Half Dollar Capped Bust (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $2,100.00 –
1809 Half Dollar XXX Edge (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $10,000.00 –
1819/8 Half Dollar Large 9 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $4,000.00 –
1826 Half Dollar (Proof) – $65,000.00 – $125,000.00
1837 Half Dollar (Proof) – $75,000.00 – $100,000.00
1839 Half Dollar Capped Bust, Small Letters (Regular Strike) $27,500.00 – $160,000.00 –
1835 Half Dollar Overton 105 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,000.00 –
1808/7 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $6,000.00 –
1813 Half Dollar Half Dollar/UNI (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $5,000.00 –
1822/1 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $4,000.00 –
1825 Half Dollar (Proof) – $75,000.00 – $275,000.00
1821 Half Dollar Overton 101 (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $2,100.00 –
1833 Half Dollar Overton 101 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,100.00 –
1835 Half Dollar Overton 109 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,000.00 –
1811 Half Dollar Small 8 (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $3,000.00 –
1818/7 Half Dollar Large 8 (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $4,000.00 –
1833 Half Dollar Crushed Lettered Edge (Proof) $55,000.00 –
1835 Half Dollar Crushed Lettered Edge (Proof) – $85,000.00 – $125,000.00
1813 Half Dollar Overton 104 (Regular Strike) $105.00 – $4,000.00 –
1831 Half Dollar Overton 120 (Regular Strike) $2,500.00 – $25,000.00 –
1836 Half Dollar O-118 Bar Dot, Lettered Edge (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,050.00 –
1814/3 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $6,000.00 –
1817/3 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $9,500.00 –
1810 Half Dollar Overton 103 (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $3,000.00 –
1810 Half Dollar Overton 108 (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $3,000.00 –
1815/2 Half Dollar Overton 101a (Regular Strike) $1,750.00 – $20,000.00 –
1824/4 Half Dollar Overton 110 (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $2,750.00 –
1826 Half Dollar Overton 101 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,100.00 –
1826 Half Dollar Overton 103 (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $4,000.00 –
1827 Half Dollar Overton 126 Square Base 2 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,100.00 –
1831 Half Dollar Overton 101 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,100.00 –
1807 Half Dollar Large Stars 50/20 (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $10,000.00 –
1807 Half Dollar Bearded Goddess (Regular Strike) $2,500.00 – $100,000.00 –
1807 Half Dollar Small Stars (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $14,000.00 –
1811/10 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $6,500.00 –
1812/1 Half Dollar Small 8 (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $4,250.00 –
1814 Half Dollar E/A (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $11,000.00 –
1817 Half Dollar Punctuated Date (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $9,000.00 –
1818/7 Half Dollar Small 8 (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $6,500.00 –
1819/8 Half Dollar Small 9 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $3,750.00 –
1820 Half Dollar Curl Base 2, Small Date (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $4,750.00 –
1820 Half Dollar Sq. 2, Lg Date, Knob 2 (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $5,000.00 –
1820/19 Half Dollar Square Base 2 (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $7,000.00 –
1820/19 Half Dollar Curl Base 2 (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $5,500.00 –
1823 Half Dollar Patched 3 (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $6,250.00 –
1823 Half Dollar Ugly 3 (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $10,000.00 –
1824 Half Dollar Over Various Dates (Regular Strike) $115.00 – $3,500.00 –
1827/6 Half Dollar (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $3,250.00 –
1828 Half Dollar Curl Base 2, No Knob (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $1,750.00 –
1828 Half Dollar Square 2, Small 8s, Lg. Letters (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $1,400.00 –
1828 Half Dollar Square 2, Small 8s, Sm. Letters (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $3,750.00 –
1830 Half Dollar Large Letters (Regular Strike) $1,750.00 – $55,000.00 –
1834 Half Dollar Large Date, Large Letters (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,300.00 –
1820 Half Dollar (Proof) – $75,000.00 – $90,000.00
1821 Half Dollar (Proof) – $85,000.00 – $100,000.00
1822 Half Dollar (Proof) – $100,000.00 – $175,000.00
1823 Half Dollar (Proof) – $100,000.00 – $110,000.00
1824 Half Dollar (Proof) – $100,000.00 – $125,000.00
1827 Half Dollar (Proof) – $75,000.00 – $350,000.00
1828 Half Dollar (Proof) – $75,000.00 – $110,000.00
1829 Half Dollar (Proof) – $65,000.00 – $250,000.00

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Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

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