1836 Early Half Dollar
About This Coin
John Reich’s Capped Bust half dollar remains a cornerstone of early American silver, representing an era when the young nation’s economy relied heavily on the fifty-cent piece for commerce. Introduced in 1807, the series showcases a neoclassical Liberty that defined federal coinage for nearly three decades.
The year 1836 stands as a major turning point for the denomination. This piece represents the final delivery of the traditional lettered edge variety, struck on a hand-fed screw press before the introduction of the steam press and the reeded edge design later that year. It is a historic transitional issue that captures the end of an era in American minting.
Graded VF35 by PCGS, this half dollar offers the ideal balance of honest circulation wear and crisp detail. At this grade level, the primary design elements remain well-defined, presenting a classic representative of early federal craftsmanship. It is an essential acquisition for any cabinet focused on the evolution of United States coinage.
