1830 50C Capped Bust Half Dollar, Lettered Edge NGC AU58

1830 50C Capped Bust Half Dollar, Lettered Edge NGC AU58--$1,850.00

      Here is an exciting chance from AUCM to purchase a great type coin from the Federal Period of American history. This Capped Bust half dollar, with its classic design and striking colorful patina, is a relic of American history that you can proudly call your own. It is an attractive specimen of the 1830 half dollar that was designed by John Reich. Graded AU58 by NGC, this would be the perfect addition to a type set of half dollars or Capped Bust half dollars. If you wish to develop or enlarge such a type set, please contact AUCM for professional guidance.

      This Capped Bust half dollar very well may have been found among those of the famed Economite hoard, discovered in 1878. This hoard was put together by the Harmony Society, a separatist religious organization that had a community in Economy, Pennsylvania. When the hoard was uncovered, there were over 118,000 silver coins--and Capped Bust half dollars totaled 111,356 of them. Numismatic mythology tells us that such coins did not circulate and were used solely as bank reserves, as a backup to the widespread private paper currency of the day. However, the existence of the Economite hoard proves this to be a fabrication. The Harmony Society had woolen and cotton mills, a grain mill, a wine press, a hotel, post office, stores and farms in Pennsylvania. Many Capped Bust half dollars from that stockpile are circulated, proving that the popular series was indeed used in everyday business. There were both uncirculated and circulated examples found within the hoard. Plus the many circulated examples found at coin shows and in collections are additional evidence. NGC Coin Explorer tells us, "The overwhelming majority [of Capped Bust half dollars] saw use in daily commerce, though their high face value (nearly half a day’s pay for many workers) limited that use drastically."