Home >> Collecting >> Coin Collecting

How to Read a Cap Bust 1828 Coin

The U.S. Mint issued three denominations of coins in the "Capped Bust" design in 1828: the dime, quarter and half dollar. This design features Lady Liberty in profile on the obverse, from her head to the top of her bust, and a spread-winged eagle on the reverse. All of these coins were produced at the Mint in Philadelphia; silver comprises about 90 percent of them.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Look for the "10 C." on the reverse of the "Capped Bust" dime that identifies it as the 10-cent coin of the day. This value mark will be found below the eagle. The coin is 18.8 mm in diameter, slightly larger than modern dimes.
- 2
  Examine the "Capped Bust" quarter for "25 C." A number of copies of this coin feature the "25" stamped over "50" as some examples were produced in error initially. Coins with this mistake tend to be worth about double the value of non-error examples. The 27 mm diameter of this coin is about 3 mm larger than modern quarters.
- 3
  Check the half-dollar variety for "50 C." on the reverse to positively ID it. Several varieties exist in the design of the date, but none carries a numismatic premium over other designs.
- 4
  Grade any of these coins by focusing on the word "LIBERTY" in Lady Liberty's headband, the lines in her hair and the clasp at her shoulder. All of these features should be distinct for the coin to grade above very fine (VF-20) or extremely fine (EF-40).

Coin Collecting