Product Information
The 1836 Capped Bust half dollar is a large coin cast in both silver and copper. Predominately comprised of silver, the half dollar has intrinsic value and is very popular among collectors. On the obverse of the coin, there is the classic profile bust of Lady Liberty, wearing her traditional draped Greek gown and a round cap on her head, which is the basis for the nickname "Capped Bust." Encircled by seven stars on one side and six on the other to represent the original 13 U.S. colonies, Liberty is pictured above the year "1836." Pictured on the reverse side of the Capped Bust half dollar coin is an eagle with its wings spread apart and a striped shield across its chest. The eagle clasps an olive branch and three arrows in its claws, turning its head majestically to the horizon. A raised rim protects the letters spelling out “United States of America” on each of these coins while a banner beneath the legend reads “E Pluribus Unum,” the motto of the United States. The 50C Capped Bust half dollar is ideal for collectors of American, silver, or 19th century coinage. The most interesting thing about the 1836 50-cent piece is that it is the last of its kind the mint created with a lettered edge. All future varieties of these coins released from the mint featured a reeded edge, which changed the way coin experts classify each piece. The type with a reeded edge also changed the style of the faces of the coin, emblazoning the letters "Half Dol" in place of "50C." Although those 50-cent pieces with letters along the edge were made in several varieties due to the hand dies used to manufacture them, Capped Bust half dollars with a reeded edge feature far fewer varieties. Therefore, even silver Capped Bust half dollars in less than mint condition can be of quite a high value. There were only 1,200 coins minted in 1836 with a reeded edge half dollars were struck, making them particularly rare in any condition. In the same year, fewer than ever 50C Capped Bust coins were minted that featured letters along the edge. Both styles are highly collectible, and though there are more 1836 half dollar coins with a lettered edge than the reeded, these are very popular because they are the last of that particular style of 50-cent piece in the United States.Product Identifiers
DesignerJohn Reich
eBay Product ID (ePID)170417815
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Composition89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper
Year1836
Additional Product Features
Mintage6545
Major VarietyLettered Edge
MintPhiladelphia
Denomination50C
PCGS Number6169
Diameter32.5mm
Mint MarkP
EdgeLettered: Fifty Cents or Half a Dollar