1830 Capped Bust Half Dollar Lg. O O.123
About This Coin
John Reich's Capped Bust half dollar served as the backbone of early American commerce, functioning primarily as bank reserves and interbank specie. By 1830, the design had entered its mature phase, struck with refined mechanical consistency at the Philadelphia Mint while retaining the hand-lettered edge that defines early federal coinage.
This piece represents the Large 0 variety, cataloged by specialists as Overton 123, highlighting the distinct die preparation of the era. While circulated examples of the date are familiar to most collectors, genuine Mint State survivors are scarce across all die pairings. The vast majority of the mintage spent decades in commercial transit or rubbing together in bank kegs, making a pristine survivor an unusual find today.
Certified MS63 by PCGS, this coin delivers choice preservation from a time when virtually nothing was set aside unhandled. It is a compelling, historically grounded half dollar that anchors an advanced variety study or a classic type set.
