The 1815/2 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Buy on eBay) has the lowest mintage for a regular issue of the series at 47,150 pieces. All known coins for this date were struck using a single pair of dies, with an overdated obverse die, showing the final digit in the date as 5 over 2.
The low mintage issue was created following the conclusion of the War of 1812. The turmoil of the final year of the war caused Americans to hoard gold and silver, resulting in very few deposits at the Philadelphia Mint. Near the end of 1815, sufficient quantities were finally received for the Mint to strike half dollars. The total production would be delivered on a single day in January 1816.
Most surviving examples will show at least moderate wear, with uncirculated examples rare and infrequently encountered. The finest known specimen of the 1815/2 Capped Bust Half Dollar is graded PCGS MS66. The coin last sold in 2012 for $182,125.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: John Reich
- Composition: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
- Weight: 13.48 grams
- Diameter: 32.5 mm
- Edge: Lettered (“FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR”)
