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1807-1839 Silver Capped Bust (P) Coin

Half dollar coins have been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1794. Sometimes referred to as the fifty-cent piece, the only U.S. coin that has been minted more consistently is the cent.
Introduced in 1807, the Capped Bust Half Dollars represented the third design for the denomination. This design would be used until 1836, and in slightly modified form until 1839, before being replaced. Production for the series would be relatively high, with mintages usually extending into the millions. Silver Dollars had not been minted since 1804, making the half dollar the coin of choice for silver depositors of the era. The designer of the Capped Bust Half Dollar was John Reich, an immigrant from Germany who came to the United States in the early 19th century.

He was recommended by President Thomas Jefferson to become an assistant engraver at the United States Mint in 1801. However, he would not take the position until 1807 since Robert Scot, chief engraver and designer of most of the early United States coins, had refused an assistant. John Reich was eventually hired when the health and eye sight of Scot began to decline. One of Reich's first tasks was to redesign circulating coinage, which all featured Scot's designs. The obverse of Reich's new design features the bust of Liberty, facing left. She is wearing a cap, which is referred to as a Phrygian or Freedom Cap, a symbol of the American Revolutionary War. Liberty's hair is curling and flowing gently downwards and a small part of her dress can be seen just below the neck.

There are seven stars in front and six additional stars behind, representing the original thirteen states in the Union. The headband carries the inscription LIBERTY, and the date, slightly curved, is seen beneath the portrait. The reverse of the Capped Bust Half Dollar would be featured in various forms on much of the silver coinage of the 19th century. It features an American Bald Eagle, with wings spread and a bundle of arrows and an olive branch in its claws. A scroll above the eagle includes the motto E Pluribus Unum, and nearly fully around is United States Of America. The denomination, which is expressed as 50 C., is below the eagle. Reich was the first designer who consistently included the denomination within his designs.

  • Coin Type: Silver American Eagle
  • Quantity: 1
  • Grade: Circ
  • Diameter: 33mm
  • Denomination: Half Dollar
  • Mint Mark: Philadelphia, PA
  • Mintage Year: 1807-1839
  • Obverse: Bust Portriat
  • Reverse: American Eagle

Measurements: 3"W x 3"H.

Distributed by American Collectors Mint, LLC.

Coin Glossary:






Legal tender: Official money issued by the government.

Legend: The coin's primary lettering.




Mint: A government controlled coin production facility.




Mintage: The number of coins produced.

NGC: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.


Obverse: Heads, or a coin's front side.


PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service.

Planchet: A blank metal piece used to produce a coin.




Reverse: Tails, or coin's back side.


Strike: The act of stamping a coin.

Truncation: The bottom edge of a portrait or bust.
