1822 Half Dollar Die Trial - J-A1822-1

Coin Details

Auction Record

$17,250 MS62 08-08-2010 Stack's

Description

This copper die trial of the 1822 Capped Bust half dollar represents one of the more accessible early die trials, though it remains quite rare by any normal standard. The obverse features John Reich's Capped Bust Liberty design — a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap inscribed "LIBERTY," with stars around the border and the date 1822 below. The reverse displays the spread eagle with a shield on its breast, olive branch and arrows in its talons, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" above, and "50 C." below, all within a circle of thirteen stars. The 1822 business strike half dollar had a generous mintage of 1,559,573 pieces, making it readily available to collectors in silver. The die trial in copper, however, was struck to verify die quality before committing silver planchets to the coining press. By the early 1820s, the Philadelphia Mint had developed more systematic die-testing procedures, though copper die trials from this era remain uncommon. The Lettered Edge variety is consistent with the production half dollars of this date, which bear the inscription "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" on the edge.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Copper die trials of Capped Bust half dollars are scarce, with only a few specimens known for most dates.

Cross References

Judd-A1822-1