The 1815/2 half dollar is a significant key date in the
Capped Bust, Lettered Edge series. Struck from a single die pair, it is the
only 1815-dated half dollar, subjecting it to incredible demand for those building
a date set of halves. Just 47,150 examples were struck, dramatically fewer than
the 1,039,075 produced in 1814 and the 1,215,567 struck in 1817. No half
dollars were struck in 1816.
The War of 1812 and the associated British burning of
Washington, D.C. on August 24, 1814, caused considerable economic upheaval and
uncertainty in the United States. Coins were hoarded by the public and, with no
silver bullion being deposited in the Mint, half dollar coinage came to a halt
sometime in late 1814 or early 1815. However, by the end of 1815, the economic
situation had stabilized to the point where silver deposits once again began
arriving at the Mint. To allow coinage to resume as soon as possible, Mint
employees retrieved an unused 1812-dated die, punched a 5 over the 2, and used it
to strike the entire half dollar production for that year.
We are proud to offer an exceptional VF-35 (PCGS) CAC 1815/2
half dollar in lot
94043 of our September 2020 Collectors Choice Online Auction. Original
dove-gray surfaces display golden and navy blue iridescence at the borders,
accented by considerable mint luster in the protected areas. The strike is
uniform, with strong definition to the focal elements. Overall smooth, this
superior CAC-approved circulated example is sure to attract specialists and
type collectors alike.
This VF-35
(PCGS) CAC 1815/2 half dollar is presented as part of the E. Horatio Morgan
Collection in our September Collectors Choice Online Auction. First offered in a
series of sales beginning in 2019, we
are thrilled to offer further duplicates from this cabinet in our September 2020
auction. These coins from the E. Horatio Morgan Collection are now available
for viewing and bidding on our website www.StacksBowers.com
and will close with a live auctioneer on September 10. Contact our experts
today to feature your collection in an upcoming Collectors Choice Online event!
Call 800-566-2580 or e-mail Consign@StacksBowers.com.
