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Capped Bust Half Dollars Bust Half Dollars Half Dollars
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Capped Bust
Half Dollars
Capped Bust
Half Dollars
1807 to 1839
Capped Bust
Half Dollars
1807 to 1836
Bust Half Dollars
Bust Half Dollars
1807 to 1839
Bust Half Dollars
1807 to 1836
Half Dollars
Half Dollars
1807 to 1839
Half Dollars
1807 to 1836
Reeded Edge
Half Dollars
1836 to 1839
Overton's Half Dollars
1807 to 1836
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About Capped Bust Half Dollars
With aspirations of elegance in a more frugal era, the Capped Bust design represented America’s coinage from 1807 until 1839. This is the type that witnessed the young country achieve complete independence from Great Britain and survive its first major financial crisis. Devoted collectors today recognize the Capped Bust series for its historic impact on numismatics.
The design originated with John Reich and was modified for coinage by the Mint’s Chief Engraver, William Kneass. A draped bust of Liberty occupies the obverse, wearing a phrygian cap inscribed with her name. Surrounding her head are the thirteen stars representing the first states of the Union and the date of minting is positioned below. On the reverse, a bald eagle is perched with an olive branch and three arrows. A union shield is placed on its chest. Over the bird’s head is scrollwork featuring the motto E Pluribus Unum, around which is the country’s name.
Depending on the denomination, engraved below the perch, the coin’s edge will be either reeded or lettered. In the case of the Half Dollar, particularly those minted from 1807 to early 1836, the edge is lettered with the inscription “FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR.” In this same time period, the denomination was written out as “50 C.” on the coin’s reverse.