1828

By 1828, the Capped Head Left half eagle had reached its sixteenth year of production, and the Mint struck roughly 28,029 examples bearing this date. That figure covers two distinct varieties cataloged today: the normal 1828 listed on this page and the separately cataloged 1828/7 overdate, where a recut 8 sits visibly atop a remnant 7. Only perfect-date pieces fall under this slug. Production was small even by the standards of an era when gold coins rarely circulated. Most struck pieces left the Mint as bullion shipments, found their way into export channels, and disappeared into European melting pots. The handful that escaped now anchor one of the rarer dates in the entire pre-1834 gold series, with Bass-Dannreuther census work and PCGS population reports together suggesting between 30 and 50 confirmed survivors of the normal date.

Authenticating an 1828 begins with the basics. Every genuine example weighs 8.75 grams, measures about 25.0 millimeters across, and carries a reeded edge with the standard 0.9167 fine gold composition. Two diagnostics matter most for a Semi-Key of this era. First, examine the date area under magnification: a true 1828 should show a clean, single-punched date with no traces of an underlying digit, since any 7-under-8 evidence pushes the coin into the 1828/7 variety category and a different cataloging slug. Second, check the rim and dentil structure. Cast counterfeits, the most common threat for early gold of this scarcity, typically show soft dentils, a granular surface near the cap and stars, and a weight that drifts off standard.

For modern collectors, the 1828 is a genuine challenge rather than a checkbook acquisition. Circulated examples in VF through AU appear at major auctions only occasionally, and Mint State pieces are rare enough that any appearance generates real interest. Pricing reflects both the low survival population and the broader pull of the Capped Head Left type, since this date sits in the final stretch before the reduced-diameter redesign of 1829 closed the chapter. Problem-free coins with original surfaces and honest wear command meaningful premiums over cleaned or repaired pieces. Anyone considering an 1828 should plan on certified material from PCGS or NGC and study auction archives for comparable grades. For broader context, see the full Capped Bust Half Eagle series history.