1820 Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle : All Varieties

Capped Head - Facing Left - Large Diameter

Mintage: 263,806

Minted at: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

Designer - Engraver: John Reich

Metal Composition: 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper

Diameter: 25 mm

Mass / Weight: 8.75 grams

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

There were a few major varieties of the 1820 Capped Bust $5 Gold Half Eagle. The two main varieties deal with the format or styling of the number "2" in the 1820 date on the obverse of the coin. One variety features a curl or curved base on the number "2" while the other has a flat square base. The difference between the Curl Base 2 vs Square Base 2 is depicted above in the example comparison image (Source of example images is courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries).

The "Curl Base 2" varieties also have two sub varieties to look into - which are related to the sizing of the lettering in the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the reverse of the coin. The large letters variety features very slightly larger letters. The best and easiest way to identify the variety is to look at the letter T's in the words - which are noticeably larger and also feature distinct defects in each of the letters - particularly a small "pock mark" or hole at the bottom of each "T" in the Large Letters variety. The differences between the Small Letters vs Large Letters is depicted below in the example comparison image:

Major Varieties:
1820 Capped Bust $5 Gold Half Eagle - Curl Base 2 - Small Letters
1820 Capped Bust $5 Gold Half Eagle - Curl Base 2 - Large Letters
1820 Capped Bust $5 Gold Half Eagle - Square Base 2