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Capped Bust coins: the silver after Draped Bust
Capped Bust is the US silver look from the late 1800s teens into the 1830s: half dime, dime, quarter, half, and a little gold. Lettered edges, then reeded. Thick coins. Wear is normal.
Capped Bust is the United States silver (and some gold) look after Draped Bust and before Seated Liberty. Liberty wears a cloth cap. Stars around. A chunky eagle on the back.
John Reich designed the first wave starting in 1807 on half dollars. William Kneass and others tightened the models in the 1830s. The half dollar is the one that shows up in estates. Dimes and quarters exist. Half dimes too. Half dimes. Early federal coinage.
What you are holding
These are 90% silver (with copper), struck in an age of lettered edges and then reeded edges. They are thicker than a modern half. They wore hard in commerce. A VF Capped Bust half is a decent type coin. An AG is still a type coin, just tired. Sheldon.
Overdates and small/large letters exist. That is listed variety land. A shop will look. A phone group will invent three more.
What it is not
It is not a Morgan. It is not Seated. If Liberty is sitting, you have Seated. If she is walking, you have a Walker. If she is wearing the cap and the coin is fat, you are in this family.
At the counter
We weigh the silver. We look at the date and the edge. We do not clean. Don’t clean. Common dates are type money plus metal. Early dates and rare varieties are a different conversation and may want a holder. When to slab.
Continue in the coin and money library. Related visitor guides: for shop visitors.