1812 2 over 1, Large 8

The 1812/1 Large 8 Capped Bust Half Dollar is an overdate variety created when a die originally prepared with an 1811 date was repurposed for 1812 production by overpunching the final 1 with a 2, leaving traces of the original digit visible beneath. The Large 8 designation indicates the date-style variant pairing this overdate with the larger second-digit logotype, and the result is among the more visually dramatic early Capped Bust varieties when examined under proper lighting and magnification. Discovery and study of this overdate trace back to Al C. Overton's foundational work on Capped Bust die marriages, and the variety has occupied a permanent place in the standard reference catalog ever since.

The coin matches lettered edge era specifications at 13.48 grams, 32.5 mm in diameter, and 89.24% silver alloy, with FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR applied to the edge through Castaing machine impression before the obverse and reverse were struck in a plain collar. Cataloged as Overton O-101a within the 1812 series, this Large 8 overdate shows the underlying 1 most clearly at the upper right portion of the 2, where the vertical stroke of the original digit projects upward through the curved top of the overpunched numeral. Authentication requires confirming both the overdate diagnostic and the Large 8 height of approximately 1.4 to 1.5 mm, since the variety must show both features simultaneously. Examine the edge inscription for proper character formation, since the lettered edge is the first place altered or cast pieces typically fail.

Demand for the 1812/1 Large 8 runs strong among Capped Bust variety specialists, and certified populations at Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) reflect a survival rate well below the regular 1812 issue. Heritage Auctions records show consistent premiums across all grade levels. For the broader story of Reich's design and the lettered edge era, see our Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.