The 1832 Capped Bust Half Eagle with 12 Stars is a rare and unusual variety. When the engraver was punching stars into the obverse die, he mistakenly left too much space between them. As a result, the coin only had enough room for twelve stars, rather than the usual thirteen. From an unknown original mintage, only six specimens of the variety are known to exist.
Two of the known specimens reside within the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection, leaving only four pieces available to collectors. The single finest known piece and the only example in uncirculated condition was once part of the Farouk Collection. Currently graded PCGS MS-63, this piece most recently sold for $822,500 at auction in 2016.
