Numismatic

1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar Large Stars 50/20 Fine (Details)

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The year 1807 marked a significant moment in United States coinage with the introduction of the Capped Bust half dollar. Minted in Philadelphia, this silver coin contains 0.3868 troy ounces of precious metal with a purity of 0.8924. This particular specimen is certified in Fine details, showing signs of its long journey through time, which may include cleaning, corrosion, or other surface wear. The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, her hair flowing beneath her cap, framed by thirteen large stars representing the original colonies. The inscription LIBERTY and the date 1807 are clearly visible. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stands with wings spread, shielded and clutching an olive branch and arrows. The scroll above the eagle bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, surrounded by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This specific variety is highly regarded by scholars of early American coinage for its intriguing reverse engraving anomaly, where the denomination of 50 cents was stamped over an initial engraving of 20 cents. This distinctive 50 over 20 error provides a direct window into the manual die-engraving processes of the early nineteenth-century Philadelphia Mint, making it a captivating object of study.