1822 22 over 1

The 1822 22-over-1 is one of the cleaner overdates in the Capped Bust half dollar series and a popular target for collectors who pursue overdates as a specialty within the type. A working obverse die originally prepared with an 1821 date was repunched with new final digits for 1822, leaving the underside of the original 1 visible within the second 2 of the new date. On well-preserved examples, the underlying digit reads clearly under low magnification, while on more worn pieces it may take careful tilting in the right light to confirm. The variety is cataloged under its Overton number and recognized by both major grading services, so attribution disputes are rare once the diagnostics are confirmed.

Authentic examples carry the standard early-half-dollar specifications of 13.48 grams on planchets of 89.24 percent silver, 32.5 millimeters in diameter, and the lettered edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR applied by the Castaing machine before the dies struck the blank. Authentication centers on the second 2 of the date, where the underlying 1 produces a vertical element inside or just beneath the curve of the 2. Collectors compare the suspect coin against published Overton plates, then confirm star positions and reverse die-state cracks to finalize the marriage. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) both list this overdate explicitly on their labels, which simplifies resale and helps newer collectors confirm a piece without relying on dealer attribution alone.

Demand is healthy across grades. Very Good through Very Fine examples remain attainable for collectors who want a single overdate to represent the 1820s, while Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated pieces command stronger premiums whenever the underlying 1 reads sharply. For broader context on how overdates and date logotypes evolved across the Reich half dollar program from 1807 to 1836, read our Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.