Rare Coins Daily Rare coin guides and inquiries

CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLAR

1807–1839
LETTERED EDGE • REEDED EDGE • OVERTON VARIETIES • OVERDATES • EARLY SILVER
SORTING LEGEND
P1Pull Immediately / Authenticate
P2Check Carefully / Better Date
P3Common / Condition Pull
O-#Overton marriage
LELettered Edge
REReeded Edge
OVDOverdate
Ag89.24–90% silver
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Microscope
or 10x loupe
0.01g
Scale
Good
Lighting
Reference
Guide
1P1 MONEY COINS
Date / IssuePri.What To Check
1815/2P1Key overdate and low mintage year
1817/4P1Legendary overdate rarity; authenticate immediately
1823/2P1Popular overdate
1836 Reeded EdgeP1Scarce transitional reeded edge type
1838-OP1First New Orleans half dollar; proof-only rarity
1839-OP1First regular New Orleans half dollar

1815/2

1815/2 placeholder

Key overdate and low mintage year

1817/4

1817/4 placeholder

Legendary overdate rarity; authenticate immediately

1823/2

1823/2 placeholder

Popular overdate

1836 Reeded Edge

1836 Reeded Edge placeholder

Scarce transitional reeded edge type

2TYPE GUIDE
Type / EraYearsDiagnostic
Lettered Edge1807–1836Edge reads FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR
Reeded Edge1836–1839Smaller diameter, modern-style reeded edge
Overton SystemAll yearsDie-marriage attribution by obverse/reverse pair
CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLAR obverse placeholderOBVERSE
CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLAR reverse placeholderREVERSE
Image note: Internet-hosted image placeholders are included. Replace with licensed/local images in production.
3KEY DATE CHART
Date / GroupPri.Notes
1815/2P1Overdate key
1817/4P1Major rarity
1823/2P1Overdate
1836 Reeded EdgeP1Transitional type
1838-OP1Proof rarity
1839-OP1Key New Orleans issue
Sorting tip: Identify type first, then check date, mintmark/edge, surface quality, and variety diagnostics.
4STRIKE & CONDITION DIAGNOSTICS
FeaturePull If / Check
EdgeAlways check lettered vs reeded
DateInspect for overdates and repunched digits
LibertyCap, curls, eye, and drapery folds
EagleShield lines, claws, arrows, and feathers
SurfacesOriginal gray/silver skin; avoid cleaning
Condition rule: Original surfaces and problem-free coins usually beat cleaned or damaged examples, even on better dates.
5VARIETIES & ERROR COINS
Variety / ErrorPri.What To Look For
1815/2P1Overdate
1817/4P1Famous overdate
1827/3P2Popular overdate
Large/Small DatesP2Numeral style varieties
Overton die marriagesP2Scarcer marriages can be valuable
Major die cracks/cudsP2Die states are collectible
variety placeholderVARIETY CHECK
reverse diagnostic placeholderREVERSE / EDGE
6QUICK SORT CHECKLIST

CHECK FIRST

  1. Check edge first
  2. 1815/2
  3. 1817/4
  4. 1823/2
  5. 1836 Reeded Edge
  6. 1838-O
  7. 1839-O
  8. Overton candidates
  9. Original surfaces
  10. Major cuds
Fast workflow: type → date → mintmark/edge → weight/specs → variety → condition → authenticate P1 finds.
Authenticate: P1 rarities, famous varieties, proofs, and expensive high-grade pieces before sale.
SORT SMART. VERIFY MAJOR FINDS. NEVER CLEAN COLLECTIBLE COINS.
Primary source: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/half-dollars/capped-bust-half-dollar-1807-1839/712 | Additional source: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5353/Overton-Varieties-Capped-Bust-Half-Dollars/
Notice Updated