Draped Bust Half Dime Values & Mintages
The Draped Bust half dime of 1796 and 1797 pairs Liberty in a draped gown with a small eagle reverse. From 1800 a heraldic eagle took its place.
- Years
- 1796–1805
- Issues listed
- 11
- Lowest mintage
- 3,060
- Diameter
- 16.5 mm
Original illustration. Tap to flip.
Mintages were small and no half dimes were dated 1798, 1799 or 1804. The 1802, with 3,060 struck, is the great rarity of the series.
Designer: Robert Scot.
Key dates: lowest mintages
See all 11 →Famous varieties & errors
Every Draped Bust Half Dime by year and mint
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| Owned✓ | Coin | Year | Mint | Mintage | Type | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1796 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1796 | None | 10,230 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1796 Draped Bust Half Dime (Overdate, 6 over 5, 1796/5) | 1796 | None | – | Variety | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1796 Draped Bust Half Dime (LIKERTY die variety) | 1796 | None | – | Variety | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1797 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1797 | None | 44,527 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1797 Draped Bust Half Dime (13 Stars obverse) | 1797 | None | – | Variety | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1800 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1800 | None | 40,000 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1800 Draped Bust Half Dime (LIBEKTY die variety) | 1800 | None | – | Variety | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1801 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1801 | None | 27,760 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1802 | None | 3,060 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1803 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1803 | None | 37,850 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz | |
| 1805 Draped Bust Half Dime | 1805 | None | 15,600 | Circulation strike | 0.0387 oz |
Composition by year
| Years | Metal | Weight | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1796–1805 | 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper | 1.35 g | 0.0387 oz |
Mint mark location
1796–1805: No mint mark. Struck in Philadelphia.
Grading tips
Look at the hair and drapery on the obverse and the eagle's wings and shield on the reverse. Weak strikes are common.
A new portrait for the silver coins
In 1796 the Mint replaced the Flowing Hair design with Robert Scot's Draped Bust, a more elegant Liberty with her hair tied back and drapery at her shoulder. The new portrait appeared on all the silver coins. On the half dime it was paired first with the small eagle reverse and then, from 1800, with the heraldic eagle.
Half dimes of this type were struck only in 1796, 1797, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1805. The Mint made coins to order for depositors of silver, who rarely asked for such small pieces, so the gaps are long.
Small eagle and heraldic eagle
The two reverse types are collected as separate designs. The small eagle coins of 1796 and 1797 are scarcer and include the LIKERTY and 1796/5 varieties plus three different star counts in 1797. The heraldic eagle coins of 1800 to 1805 include the LIBEKTY variety of 1800 and the great rarity of the type, the 1802.
For a type set, the 1800 and 1803 are the most available heraldic eagle dates and the 1797 is the usual small eagle choice. Specialists collect every die marriage by LM number.
Checking an early half dime
These coins are tiny and thin. Many were holed for jewelry, bent or polished, so examine both sides and the edge under good light. Weak strikes on the stars, the eagle's head and the clouds are normal. A coin with even wear, smooth natural color and no repairs is the one collectors want, even in a low grade.
Any 1802 needs expert authentication, since altered dates and counterfeits are a risk for a coin of its fame.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rarest Draped Bust Half Dime?
By mintage, the scarcest regular circulation issue is the 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime with 3,060 struck, followed by the 1796 Draped Bust Half Dime (10,230). Survival rates and condition also matter: some higher-mintage dates are scarce in top grades.
Are Draped Bust Half Dimes silver?
1796–1805: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper.
Where is the mint mark on a Draped Bust Half Dime?
1796–1805: No mint mark. Struck in Philadelphia.
How many Draped Bust Half Dimes were made?
About 179,027 for circulation across 7 date and mint combinations, from 44,527 for the 1797 Draped Bust Half Dime down to 3,060 for the 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime.
Who designed the Draped Bust Half Dime?
Robert Scot.
What is the LIKERTY half dime?
A 1796 variety where a broken B punch makes LIBERTY appear to read LIKERTY. The LIBEKTY of 1800 is a similar variety caused by a damaged R.
Why does the 1797 half dime have different numbers of stars?
The Mint added a sixteenth star after Tennessee joined the Union in 1796, then realized it could not keep adding stars and went back to thirteen for the original states.
Why are there no half dimes dated 1804?
No half dimes were struck with that date. Production was small and irregular in these years. None were struck at all from 1806 until 1829.
Other odd denominations
Mintages from US Mint records as published in standard references, each checked against at least two independent sources. Specifications from US Mint records. All sources.