1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Capped Bust Half Dollars 1807-1839 series — the final year of the series. In 1839, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 3.0 million. This ranks 7th of 32 years by total mintage, below 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 final year of the Capped Bust Half Dollar before the Seated Liberty design replaced it. Only the small-type reeded-edge version was struck. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 13.36 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $522 to $216K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $85K in VF25 grade at Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.