1823 Broken 3

The 1823 Broken 3 Capped Bust Half Dollar shows one of the most recognizable date-punch anomalies in the early silver series. The numeral 3 in the date displays a horizontal break running through its midsection, the result of a damaged or cracked date punch that the Philadelphia Mint continued to use rather than retire. This die state produces a 3 that appears split into two distinct halves, with the upper loop and lower loop separated by a visible gap. Among the four 1823 date varieties cataloged in Overton, the Broken 3 sits in a middle tier of availability, scarcer than the regular 1823 but more frequently encountered than either the Patched 3 or the Ugly 3.

Each example weighs 13.48 grams on a planchet of 89.24% silver with a diameter of 32.5 millimeters, and the edge carries the inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR. Authentication for this variety begins with the diagnostic break in the 3, which must show as a clean horizontal separation rather than a strike weakness or post-mint damage. Genuine examples display the break consistently in the same location across all surviving pieces because the feature originates from the punch itself. The Overton attribution rests on additional die markers, including star placement and the relationship between the date and the bust point. Examples falling outside the 13.30 to 13.60 gram range deserve careful study.

Surviving population data from Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) indicates that Broken 3 examples appear most often in Fine to Very Fine, with About Uncirculated specimens commanding strong premiums. Heritage Auctions has documented several Mint State appearances over the past decade, typically with subdued luster and light circulation cameo around the devices. Collectors assembling a complete 1823 date-variety set find this issue more obtainable than the rarer counterparts. For wider context on the date-punch story, see the Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.