1826

The 1826 Capped Bust Half Dollar reached one of the highest production figures of its decade at the Philadelphia Mint, with reported deliveries totaling 4,004,180 pieces. This substantial output reflected continued strong demand for circulating silver in the expanding American economy, and the Mint pressed numerous dies into service to meet the production schedule. The year contains many die marriages cataloged in the Overton reference, ranging from common varieties readily available to specialists to rarer combinations that draw significant premiums when offered. No major overdate or repunched-date varieties define 1826 in the way they characterize 1824, which positions the year as friendly territory for collectors focused on date completion.

Composition matches the series standard at 89.24% silver, 13.48 grams, and 32.5 millimeters in diameter, with the lettered edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR completing the technical specifications. Authentication of the 1826 generally relies on standard checks including weight tolerance between 13.30 and 13.60 grams, edge lettering examination, and surface analysis. Overton attribution proceeds through identification of star placement, date position relative to the bust, and dentil characteristics. Sharp strikes display crisp definition in Liberty's hair curls and clean separation between the eagle's feathers on the reverse, and original-surface examples typically show the soft satiny luster characteristic of the period's planchet preparation.

The collecting landscape for 1826 supports active trading throughout the grade range. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) population reports document substantial populations in circulated grades from Fine through Extremely Fine, with About Uncirculated and Mint State examples appearing with reasonable frequency at major auctions. Heritage Auctions records confirm steady demand and stable pricing for original-skin pieces displaying attractive natural toning. Collectors building Capped Bust half type sets often select 1826 because the high mintage produced numerous well-preserved survivors. For background on the design and its production history, see the Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.