1882 Half Dollar Error List with Pictures

A tiny date mistake helped one 1882 half dollar sell for $16,867 at Superior Galleries in 2006. Look below the date to find it.

This guide to 1882 half dollar errors covers the WB-102 proof, a specially made collector coin with extra digit shapes near its rim. Certified examples graded Proof-64 to Proof-66 have an estimated value of $2,000–$5,000.

Read on to see which marks to look for and how condition affects the price.

1882 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Misplaced Date Error (Up to $16,867)

Two tiny curves sit below the date, among the toothlike shapes along the rim. They are the tops of extra digits.

The mistake began when a worker punched the date too low into the die, the metal tool that stamps a coin. The worker added the date in the right place, but parts of the first attempt remained.

Coins made with that die show both sets of marks. Collectors call this Philadelphia proof variety WB-102; the extra curves lie below the two 8s.

Estimated Value

Expect an estimated $2,000–$5,000 for certified Proof-64 to Proof-66 examples. These grades describe how well the coin has survived.

A Proof-65 Cameo sold for $2,760 in October 2025, and a Proof-66 Ultra Cameo brought $4,560 in August 2024. Cameo means the raised design contrasts with the shiny background.

The $16,867 result involved an exceptional coin. It is not the usual price for this mistake.

How to Identify

Use a 10× magnifier to inspect the border directly below the date. Look between the 1 and first 8, then between the two 8s.

Tilt the coin under a lamp. The extra digit tops should stand above the surface, while scratches cut into it.

A bump alone is not enough. Both curves must match the shapes and positions on a clear WB-102 reference photo.

If the coin is loose, check it with a digital scale and calipers. An unworn example is 12.50 grams and about 30.6 millimeters across, with grooves around its edge.

Size cannot prove this variety. The fastest check is to match both raised curves below the date to a confirmed WB-102 photo.

 

Conclusion

Check below the date first. The two extra digit tops identify the 1882 WB-102 proof, with certified Proof-64 to Proof-66 examples estimated at $2,000–$5,000.

The historical $16,867 sale shows what an exceptional example can bring. Once you have matched the tiny curves, compare your coin’s condition and the contrast between its design and background with the sold examples.