1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Capped Bust Half Dollars 1807-1839 series — 16th of 32 years in the series. In 1823, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 6.8 million. This ranks 23rd of 32 years by total mintage, above 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. The 1823 Broken "3" and Patched "3" varieties reflect different states of the date punch, adding die variety interest. Struck in 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper, weighing 13.5 grams, 32.5 mm in diameter, with a lettered: fifty cents or half a dollar edge. Produced 8 years after the celebrated 1815 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $111 to $4.2K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $94K in MS67 CAC grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by John Reich.