1836 1336 Lettered Edge Proof

The 1836 1336 Lettered Edge proof half dollar is among the most curious presentation strikes of the Capped Bust series. The variety carries a reverse die error in which the date or denominational lettering reads as 1336 rather than the expected sequence, a blunder that escaped final die inspection at the Philadelphia Mint and was subsequently picked up by sharp-eyed collectors in the decades that followed. As a proof, the issue is extraordinarily rare, with only a handful of examples confirmed in auction archives and major reference holdings. Sheldon rarity for the proof version sits at R-7 or R-8, with surviving specimens almost always tied to long-running private collections rather than recent discoveries.

Authentication starts with the standard Lettered Edge proof parameters. The coin should weigh 13.48 grams, measure 32.5 millimeters in diameter, and carry the edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR. Squared rims with sharp corners separate the proof from any prooflike business strike, and the fields must show full reflectivity rather than the satin look common on early circulation pieces. Beyond those baseline checks, the variety attribution itself demands attention. Authenticators look for the specific reverse die diagnostics that produced the 1336 reading, including the misplaced or recut letter and digit positions, and they verify die-state markers such as crack progression and clash positioning. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) both list the attribution on certified holders when present.

The variety appeals to two overlapping collector groups. The first is the Capped Bust specialist who wants every die marriage and reverse blunder represented. The second is the proof type collector who recognizes that the issue offers a chance to combine extreme rarity with a documented Mint error in a single coin. Both groups push prices well above standard 1836 proof levels at auction. Additional design and minting context appears in the Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.