1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Capped Bust Half Dollars 1807-1839 series — 15th of 32 years in the series. In 1822, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 3.1 million. This ranks 9th of 32 years by total mintage, below the series median of 5.0 million. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a mob cap or turban, designed by John Reich who worked as an indentured servant at the Mint and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM within a motto scroll. Struck during a period of national unity and westward expansion following the War of 1812, as the U.S. grew in confidence and territory. Struck in copper, weighing 13.5 grams, 32.5 mm in diameter, with a lettered: fifty cents or half a dollar edge. Produced 7 years after the celebrated 1815 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $147 to $6.9K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $60K in PR64 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by John Reich.