Draped Bust Half Dollars

The Draped Bust half dollar was introduced after only two years of production of the previous design. The simple portrait of Liberty on the Flowing Hair type (1794-95) was criticized as inappropriate and not dignified, with her wildly flowing hair more aboriginal than aristocratic. The eagle was especially vilified; one letter writer compared it to a “turkey cock.”

Draped Bust Half Dollar, Small Eagle (1796-97)

Draped Bust half dollars of 1796 and ’97 are considered the rarest circulation strike U.S. silver coins. Most bullion depositors at the Mint in the late 1790s requested silver dollars; half dollars were struck only upon specific request. Few were made, very few were preserved as keepsakes, and most today survive in circulated condition.

Two major varieties of the 1796 issue are known, one with 15 obverse stars (likely produced first) and the other with 16 obverse stars. Other varieties with minor differences in device placement or size are also known.

Draped Bust Half Dollar, Heraldic Eagle (1801-07)

Following a four-year gap in production, half dollar production resumed in 1801. The obverse portrait of Liberty remained, but the eagle on the reverse was changed to the outstretched wing, heraldic style copied from the Great Seal of the United States.

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Articles, Interviews, and Numismatic News

Here you’ll find a curated selection of articles ranging from in-depth historical perspectives to practical advice for collectors on Lincoln Wheat cents from 1909-1958. Whether you’re interested in the design and minting process, seeking guidance on valuation and preservation, or looking to expand your knowledge about specific mint marks and rarities, our content covers it all.

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