US Capped Bust Half Dollar 1807 to 1839

The US bust half dollar series is an interesting one. Just about all the coins are valuable. The common kinds catalog around $50 to $100 for a worn, but problem-free specimen. As condition improves, so does value. Almost uncirculated coins can approach the $500 mark, even for common-dates. Here is a summary for most dates of Capped Bust halves. Coins must be free of problems like scratches, stains, spots, nicks, gouges, and cleanings to qualify for these values. Sadly, most of the coins you find today are cleaned or otherwise damaged. If you are not familiar with cleaned or damaged coins, do not pay large amounts for coins you buy.

We summarize common date coins first, then call out the better coins. If your coin is not in our 'better' list, it is a common date.

COMMON DATE CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLARS
worn: $70 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $130
well preserved: $300
fully uncirculated: $650

The coin in our picture comes from CoinZip.com, a web site full of great info on US coins. The CoinZip specimen falls somewhere between 'average circulated' and 'well preserved' giving a catalog value around $200 to $250. It is a nice coin, and CoinQuest thanks CoinZip for use of their coin photo.

There are some special dates and unusual varieties which qualify for higher values. Below are the better coins with values for coins in average circulated condition. If you think you have a better coin, consult a coin catalog, a knowledgeable collector, or a professional coin dealer for more detail and more accurate evaluation.

BETTER DATES AND VARIETIES:
1807: $700 in average circulated condition
1807, bearded Liberty: $2100
1812, 2 over 1, large 8: $10000
1812, single leaf below wing: $2400
1815, 5 over 2: $3500
1817, 7 over 3: $500
1817, 7 over 4: $200000
1820, no serifs on Es: $1200
1822, last 2 over 1: $250
1823, ugly 3: $250
1830, large letters: $4500
1836: 50 CENTS spelled out on eagle side: $2000
1839O: $1000

As you can see from the list above, there are many subtle varieties of these coins that collectors follow. Collecting bust halves is a numismatic challenge, to say the least!
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