Bust Half representative series image
Representative series imageBust HalfReference art may not show this exact date or mint.
Bust Half
U.S. collector price guide

1838-O Bust Half (reeded-edge)

Denomination
Half Dollar
Mint
O
Composition
90% silver
Mintage
20
Guide value by grade$100,000–$400,000
Limited4 priced grades

Collector value is shown by grade, but intrinsic metal value can dominate lower-grade outcomes.

Circulated$100,000
Melt floor$12.180.3866 oz × $31.5/oz
Updated 2026-06-09published-guideHow the guide works →
Grade Ladder
$100k$159k$252k$400kVG-8F-12VF-20EF-40
Tab, hover, or tap a grade to see the price jump
Price by Grade
GradeQualityEst. Value
VG-8Very Good
$100,000
F-12Fine
$150,000
VF-20Very Fine
$225,000
EF-40Extremely Fine
$400,000

Estimates from published guides and recent sold data. Grade is everything. Verify before you buy.
Melt floor: Includes intrinsic metal value (0.3866 oz silver). Marked grades are worth more melted than as collector coins.

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What to do next
Check the gradeValue changes by condition. Compare the grade ladder before using the headline estimate.
Watch melt valueMetal value is part of this page, and can dominate lower-grade outcomes.
Verify before buyingUse methodology, source confidence, and recent comps before making purchase decisions.
Common Questions

What is the 1838-O Bust Half (reeded-edge) worth?

Current guide estimates on this page range from $100,000 to $400,000 depending on grade.

Why does grade matter for the 1838-O Bust Half (reeded-edge)?

Coin value can change sharply by condition. Use the grade ladder and price-by-grade table before relying on any single headline estimate.

Does melt value affect the 1838-O Bust Half (reeded-edge)?

This page shows a melt floor of $12.18 based on listed metal weight and the current guide spot value used by CoinSpinner.

Survivor's LedgerNo. cs_us_half-dollar_bust-half_1838_o_reeded-edge
188years survived since minting
Minted
1838 · O
Denomination
Half Dollar
Composition
90% silver
Mintage
20

Deeper history for the Bust Half series is still being researched. Know this one? Help us write it →

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Guide record
Grade and metal context

Use the grade ladder, pricing confidence, and melt floor together before making a buying decision.

Read methodology →
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