1834 50c PR

Designer: John Reich. Weight: 13.48 grams. Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper. Diameter: Approximately 32.5 mm. Edge: 1807–1814: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR; 1814–1831: Star added between DOLLAR and FIFTY; 1832–1836: Vertical lines added between words. Mint: Philadelphia.

Key to Collecting: Capped Bust half dollars of the 1807 to 1836 years were made in large quantities and today are very easily obtained in nearly any grade, particularly VF through Mint State, the latter very plentiful in the context of early American coinage.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Capped Bust half dollars of this era were made quickly. Often, dies were continued in use after they had become worn or “grainy.” Quality often suffered. There are quite a few sharply struck coins around, but for every one that is needle-sharp in all points, there are multiples that are not. On the obverse, check the hair details, the star centers, and the denticles. On the reverse, check the eagle, the letters, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (the ribbon is often soft in places), and the denticles.

Proof Coins: Proof coins were struck in limited numbers for presentation purposes and for distribution to numismatists. Insist on a coin with deep and full (not partial) mirror surfaces, well struck, and with good contrast. Avoid deeply toned pieces (deep toning often masks the true nature of a coin). Many pieces attributed as “Proofs” over the years are not Proofs, in my opinion.