Beginner's Guide To Attributing Capped Bust Half Dollars

The Capped Bust half dollar series is a super neat series. One of the most appealing factors of this series is easily being able to identify the die variety of a particular coin. Why attribute Capped Bust half dollars? There are a handful of answers to that question. Perhaps you are trying to complete a full Capped Bust Half variety set, or maybe you just purchased your first one and would like to know how many examples exist for that particular variety. Being able to identify the varieties allows you to cherrypick from dealer's trays, with the potential to find valuable and extremely rare coins.

Attributing Capped Bust half dollars starts off with finding the right resources. Whether you have a copy of Overton and Parsley's United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, or you can access Dave's Bust Half Dollar Site at maibockaddict.com, you are more than ready to get started attributing your bust halves. The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars by Dr. Glenn R. Peterson is another great reference to own. But first, we have to start with the basics. What is an Overton Number? What exactly am I looking for? How do each of these diagnostics come to be? These questions will be answered as we go along.

In the yeardates of 1794-1836, half dollars are attributed by die variety using Overton numbers. Overton, the original writer of United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, used a system of numbers to classify each die marriage. The first letter is an O, representing Overton, and the following number is the specific marriage reference number. Each yeardate starts off at 101, and adds one number until all the marriages are represented. Sometimes you will see an "a" or "b" following the Overton number, like the O-111b or O-108a, which signifies a later die state. For example, the 1811 O-103 is an earlier die state of the 1811 O-103a, because the "a" die state has developed a recognizable crack that splits through the date.

The dies to make Capped Bust half dollars were created using a master hub. The master hub would impress an image of Miss Liberty, the eagle, and the scroll on the face of the working die. Following that procedure, each star, numeral, letter, and dentil was individually punched or engraved on the face of each working die. Even the lines of the eagle's shield were engraved by a steady, skillful hand! Because all of this work was done by hand, every working die was unique. Stars are crooked, letters are crowded, and the lines of the shield often overlap each other. Some unique features were intentional like an overdate, and some were unintentional like a graver slip. All of these differences in design come together to create the diagnostics to be able to identify the die variety.

With so many things to look at, creating a system of consistency is ideal for attributing these half dollars. The following list are things to observe when attributing these coins:
1. Popular Varieties
2. T-I Alignment
3. Relative Star Positioning
4. Date Position
5. Die Defects and Unique Features

Each type of observation has its benefits and downsides, and one type is not going to be enough alone to get you the attribution every time. They are best used in conjunction with each other.

Popular Varieties: Recognizing popular varieties is a great place to start. Is your coin the 1814 E/A? That would make it the 1814 O-108. Do you see the reminisce of a 7 underneath the 8 on an 1808? That would make it the 1808/7 O-101 overdate. If you are able to check your half dollars for major varieties, then you can skip the tedious examination and quickly identify your halves. Keep in mind that very few halves are able to be identified in this way, so this step is not applicable in every circumstance.

T-I Alignment: The T-I alignment is referencing the I in PLURIBUS in relationship to the second T in STATES. This position often varies among varieties, so it is an easy reference to glance at. United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836 by Overton and Parsley and The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars by Dr. Glenn R. Peterson both use T-I alignments in their attribution techniques. Here are a few examples of the terminology to describe the T-I alignments.

I completely left of T:

Right sides T-I in line:

I centered under right side of T:


Dave's Bust Half Dollar Site even lists the varieties in order by left to right T-I alignment, so it is simple to take note of the T-I alignment, and match it up with the example on the screen.

Relative Star Positioning: Both Overton and Peterson use this technique which involves the star position relative to Miss Liberty, or the segments that the outer point of a star lines up with. A simple starting point can be lining up the inner point of star 7 to a specific location on Miss Liberty's forehead. The star may line up with the curl, the junction of the curl and the headband, the junction of the headband and the cap, or farther up the cap. The stars can also vary in positioning with each other. Two stars next to each other should have their points lined up, so if an imaginary line would extend those points, they would symmetrically meet exactly between both stars. If they are not lined up, then the star point lines would be overlapping each other asymmetrically. Recognizing the star positions relative to the segments does not always work, as LDS (Late Die State) half dollars tend to have little to no segments remaining.


Take this 1824 half for example. Some things can be noted, such as star 7 is at the junction of the headband and the cap. The outer point of the same star is lined up with the center of a segment. Star 8 overlaps star 9, and star 10 overlaps star 11.

Sometimes searching for small characteristics can be very tedious and exhausting. Don't give up! Once the unique features of the obverse die are recognized, then it can be easily matched up with your physical or online attribution source.

Date Position: With each digit punched by hand, sometimes the numbers don't come out symmetrical. In 1818, there were drastic differences in numeral positions. A numeral can be much further than the others, making it appear unusual. There are only a couple of obverse dies in 1818 in which the numerals are even and symmetrical. The minute differences between numeral positions can be very small, but memorizing them can allow you to recognize a variety like a familiar face.

Die Defects and Unique Features: Some of these defects have received specific names. The 1822 "Button Cap" variety features a small button-like feature on the fold of the cap. The 1810 "Morse Code" variety has two very small dots and a dash below the eagle's left talon. The 1817 "Comet" variety has a large defect line stretching from Miss Liberty's cap to the segments. Most of these small features seen on many halves do not have commonly known names.

If a bust half was purchased and attribution is needed, it is not the most efficient to search the entire coin for small defects that can be compared with images often not sharp enough. This technique is ideal for verifying a variety. If you are 80% sure your coin is a specific variety, The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars will describe a defect or unique feature that will allow you to confirm the attribution. Whether it is a punctuated date, defect lines, die rust, touching letters, or single leafs, many varieties can be verified using this technique.


This may feel overwhelming at first, but don't give up! Once a handful of coins are attributed, it starts to become second nature. There is no right way to attribute these early Capped Bust half dollars, so practice is key to making a system that can be relied on. If you have the desire to attribute these coins but lack the coins themselves, you can always scan online auctions and attribute the bust halves through images. You will be surprised how many rare varieties are out there, waiting to be cherrypicked!