The 1807 Capped Bust Half almost 200 years old, I'm getting this in just in case????

Hi folks, hope I didn’t get carried away here, but this is my year. I’m not a good writer, and besides the number statistics and referring to an Author of a book, what I’ve put here is just from memory. Also, when I mention how I attribute the varieties, there are other diagnostics, but I like to keep things rather simple.

The 1807 Capped Bust Half was the first year of the Capped Bust Half series. Also the first of a two year sub-type. There were only four die-pairings for this year.

Published mintages say around 750,500. In Bust Half Fever 2nd edition, Edgar Souders states by estimate it is more like 375, 250 (about half of the published numbers).

Furthermore, he mentions approximate survivors (all varieties) might be 2,000 with the majority being the “50 over inverted 5” variety.

This year is by far my favorite to collect and much tougher to grade, and to find in any kind of attractive and problem free condition. Known for their weak strikes, sometimes just a bit of wear can make them appear more worn then they actually are. I personally feel this first sub-type (1807-1808) should be a separate type by themselves. They look much different then the rest of the series IMO.

I’m going to show two examples of each die-pairing. And some of my opinions and my research on the four varieties. Opinions that have been my experiences, from ones I own, ones I’ve seen, and seen available. Here is the order I believe they were struck in sequence.

First struck for this year was the Small Stars O-113. I find these to usually be very weakly struck. In fact the weakest for the 1807, but nicer struck ones do come available once in a while. Easily attributed with the stars a bit smaller than the rest struck for the year. The stars are actually set further in, and away from the rim as well. Also, the left bottom serif of the “1” in the date will be missing. These are actually thought to be struck on an over-sized planchet.
Here is the O-113

And here is the O-113a, which has the die-cracks, although my small image some are a bit hard to see..


Next up is the Large stars O-114. I find these to be the very best struck up with the stars and eagles left wing facing to be very nicely struck. Although Liberty’s hair going down the center is usually mushy.
Easily attributed with a couple die-lumps under the “7” of the date. Another one at star eleven close to the rim. If I were just looking for a type coin this is the variety I would seek. They cost more, but even in lower grade they can be found once in a while and are struck nicely.
The nicest struck one I own and have seen…..

Nice strike, but you can see the central hair kind of mushy that I mentioned……


Next is the Large stars 50/inverted 5 O-111. Usually these are better known for the chin to chest die-break, the “Bearded Goddess.” I’ve not seen a prime yet without the break. This also has the 50/inverted 5 reverse and is written that you can see it more clearly on this variety. It also can be attributed with the bottom left serif of the “1” in the date missing, or nearly so.

This is a very early state with the “beard” very light, but can be seen with the naked eye…


And a later state to show the progression somewhat. The break actually goes through the eye very good, and very faint to the headband, and down Liberty. Although my image doesn‘t capture it good……


Next and last of the four die-pairings for the 1807 is the Large stars 50/inverted 5 O-112. This is the more “common” one and this is the variety that will usually be seen available. Still very tough to find attractive and well struck.
A very tough to find nice colorful one….


And a well circulated thick crusty one. Also tough to find and as original as they come IMO.