Vital Stats.

Type 1 Lettered Edge (1807-1836)

• Designer: John Reich
• Content: 89.2% silver 10.8% copper
• Diameter: 32-33 millimeters
• Weight: 13.48 grams
• Edge: Lettered "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR"
• Mint Mark Location: Above the date on the obverse.

Type 1 Mintaage

Type 1 (1807-1836)
Lettered Edge - "50 C." on Reverse

"Capped Bust" halves produced until 1836 have a lettered edge, the edge displayed "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR". In 1836 the U.S. Mint replaced its animal powered presses with steam powered presses. The steam powered presses offered several advantages. They were faster, coins became more uniform and required fewer operators. There was one disadvantage, the closed collar dies required for steam presses would not permitt the coins to have lettering on the edge. It was not until 2007 when lettered edges on U.S. coins reappeared (Presidential dollars).

There were several other subtle changes throughout the life of the series, but the 1836 edge change is used by many collectors to separate the half dollar into two distinct types.

Vital Stats.

Type 2 Reeded Edge With "Cents" On Reverse (1836-1837)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Diameter: 30 millimeters
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Above the date on the obverse.

Type 2 Mintage

Type 2 (1836-1837)
Reeded Edge - "50 Cents" on Reverse

An eagle was placed on the reverse, its head turned right (viewer's left), wings outstretched ready to fly and a shield over the breast. Three arrows are held in his claw (eagle's left) and an olive branch in the other.

A concentric banner with E PLURIBUS UNUM is placed above the eagle, below STATES OF, flat except for folded ends. In 1836 the banner was removed, along with the lettered edge and 50C. The 50C. was replaced with 50 Cents.

In the "Liberty Capped Bust" half dollar, Liberty wears a mobcap (without a chin tie) and across the bottom is the word LIBERTY. Webster's dictionary describes a mobcap as "a woman's fancy indoor cap made with a high full crown and often tied under the chin." Thirteen six-point stars inside the dentilled rim, seven to the left and six to the right. The date is at six o'clock.

Vital Stats.

Type 3 Reeded Edge With "Half Dol. " On Reverse (1838-1839)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Diameter: 30 millimeters
• Weight: 13.36 grams
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Above the date on the obverse.

Type 3 Mintage

Type 3 (1838-1839)
Reeded Edge - "Half Dol." on Reverse

These "Reeded Edge" half dollars can be found in mint state grades, however, few have survived in grades of MS65 and higher. The first points to wear on the obverse are the drapery at the front of the bust, the shoulder clasp and the cap and hair above the eye.

On the reverse, wear will first show on the eagle's wing-edges and talons.

In 1839, Capped Bust halves production ended, and Christian Gobrecht’s Seated Liberty design was adopted. In 1840 this coin type peaked everyones interest again when in New Orleans a "Capped Bust" reverse die was mulled to a "Seated Liberty" obverse dated 1840, thus creating the scarce "Medium Letters" variety.