1813 saw intensified fighting between the United States and Great Britain during the War of 1812. The war took a heavy toll on the fledgling American economy and privately issued "shinplasters" began to circulate in earnest, displacing much of the available specie. In this period of economic uncertainty, more than 95,000 half eagles were struck in 1813, of which less than one percent are estimated to still survive in any condition.

The first year of the Capped Head half eagles, the bust was significantly modified by John Reich from its previous incarnation, with no drapery and only the barest traces of Liberty's shoulders appearing. There are two die marriages known, remarkable for an era known for its die failures. Of the two, roughly two-thirds of the surviving specimens are the BD-1 variety. In a series replete with some of the great American numismatic rarities, including the legendary 1822 half eagle, the 1813 is the only issue of the series that can be considered relatively available. As a result, the issue is always in constant demand for type collections as well as by early gold specialists. Despite being the workhorse denomination, a significant number survive in Mint State, though the population figures almost certainly reflect resubmissions.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the D. Brent Pogue Part III Auction, where it realized $223,250.