1820 Square 2, Large Date, No Knob

The 1820 Square 2 Large Date No Knob sits next to the Knob 2 marriage in the year's variety matrix and separates from it by a single, small diagnostic at the upper-left corner of the numeral 2. Where the Knob 2 punch produces a rounded bulge at that point, the No Knob punch finishes cleanly into the top arc of the 2 without any projection. The date logotype is the Large variety, occupying more vertical space than the Small Date sister punches, and the base of the 2 is square rather than curled. This combination is one of several regular-issue die marriages produced during the year's mintage of 751,122 half dollars at the Philadelphia Mint, all struck without a mintmark.

Genuine pieces hold to the early-half-dollar specifications of 13.48 grams on 89.24 percent silver planchets, 32.5 millimeters in diameter, and the lettered edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR applied by the Castaing machine before striking. Attribution moves through the same sequence used on the Knob 2 sister: confirm Large Date by total date length, confirm Square Base by the flat terminal of the 2, then examine the upper-left corner of the 2 under low magnification to verify the absence of a knob projection. The reverse die and its die-state cracks finish the Overton match. Both Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) attribute this die marriage by Overton number on their labels.

Availability is comparable to the Knob 2 marriage, with mid-grade circulated examples surfacing at most major Bust half sales. Collectors building a comprehensive 1820 set typically pursue both Knob and No Knob versions because the distinction is genuine die work rather than wear, and the two pieces side by side illustrate how small the differences can be among Philadelphia's date punches. For broader context on Reich's design and the year's variety landscape, see our Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.