1823

The 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar arrived during a period of expanding silver coinage at the Philadelphia Mint, with a reported mintage of 1,694,200 pieces. This figure represents a modest production year compared to neighboring dates in the series, and the issue holds particular interest because the Mint employed four visibly different date punches across its working dies. The regular 1823 carries a normally formed digit string and accounts for the bulk of surviving examples. Collectors approaching this date for the first time often gravitate toward this standard die marriage because it offers an accessible entry into John Reich's Capped Bust design without the premium attached to the famous date-punch varieties that share the year.

Struck on planchets of 89.24% silver weighing 13.48 grams with a diameter of 32.5 millimeters, the 1823 carries the lettered edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR applied by the Castaing machine before striking. Authentication generally focuses on edge lettering depth, planchet color, and the relief of Reich's drapery folds across Liberty's shoulder. The Overton reference catalogs the regular 1823 across multiple die marriages, and attribution typically rests on stars, dentil alignment, and the position of the date relative to the bust. Genuine examples weigh consistently between 13.30 and 13.60 grams, and any specimen falling outside that window warrants further scrutiny.

The collecting landscape for the 1823 includes a strong supply in circulated grades through Very Fine, with About Uncirculated and Mint State examples appearing at major auctions throughout the year. Heritage Auctions records show steady demand for original-skin pieces with light gray toning over satiny luster. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) population reports both indicate that gem-quality survivors remain scarce, while problem-free examples in mid-grade circulated condition continue to anchor type sets. For broader context on Reich's design and its production history, see the Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.