1882

Production of the 1882 Coronet half eagle reached 2,514,520 business strikes at the Philadelphia Mint, with an additional 48 proofs prepared for collectors. Catalog totals on the live site report a combined 2,514,568, reflecting the convention of rolling business and proof figures into a single date-line entry. The mintage marked a deliberate pullback from the 5.7 million pieces struck in 1881, and Director Horatio Burchard's annual report noted that Treasury redemption demand had begun settling into a more sustainable rhythm now that the Specie Resumption Act had been fully operational for three years. Even at the reduced figure, the 1882 ranks among the larger Coronet half eagle deliveries and reflects continued public confidence in gold coinage.

Authentication on the 1882 leans on standard Coronet diagnostics rather than any date-specific marker, so weight and dimensions come first. Genuine examples register 8.359 grams on a calibrated scale and measure 21.6 millimeters across, with a fully reeded edge and the warm yellow tone of 0.900 fine gold. Because Philadelphia struck without a mintmark, any specimen showing a C, D, O, or S below the eagle is either an altered piece or a misidentified branch issue and should be set aside. Strike quality is consistently strong, with sharp star centrals and clean separation between the eagle's neck feathers and shield, so soft detail warrants careful inspection under magnification. Examine the date numerals for signs of mechanical alteration, since the more valuable proof issue can occasionally be misrepresented from a polished business strike.

For modern collectors, the 1882 is one of the more approachable dates in the Coronet half eagle series and a sensible choice for a representative type coin. Circulated grades through Extremely Fine trade just above melt value, while certified About Uncirculated pieces remain affordable for a coin approaching its sesquicentennial. Mint State examples through MS62 are readily available, and MS63 and MS64 specimens turn up regularly at major auctions without commanding the premiums attached to scarcer dates. True gems at MS65 and finer are noticeably tougher because the date saw heavy commercial use. The 48 cataloged proofs are a separate pursuit entirely, residing in advanced cabinets and bringing five-figure realizations when they appear at auction. For the broader story of the design, see the Liberty Head Half Eagle series history.