Draped Bust Half Dime 1796—1805

The Draped Bust Half Dime is a historic American coin that was minted from 1796 to 1805. It is known for its elegant design featuring the bust of Liberty on the obverse and a small eagle on the reverse.

The Draped Bust Half Dime was the second type of Half Dime issued by the United States Mint. The first type, known as the Flowing Hair Half Dime, was minted in 1794 and 1795. Due to its small size and low denomination, the Half Dime was often referred to as a "half dime."

The designer of the Draped Bust Half Dime was Robert Scot, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time. The obverse of the coin featured a bust of Liberty facing to the right, with flowing hair cascading down her neck. The word "LIBERTY" appeared above the bust, and the date of issue was below. The reverse featured a small eagle with outstretched wings, encircled by a wreath. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appeared around the outer edge of the coin.

The Draped Bust Half Dime underwent several modifications during its production. The early issues from 1796 to 1797 had a small eagle on the reverse, while the later issues from 1800 to 1805 featured a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest.

During its mintage, the Draped Bust Half Dime faced challenges. The coins were struck in small quantities and had limited circulation due to their small denomination. Additionally, the production process was not efficient, and the coins often suffered from weak strikes and inadequate planchet quality.

In 1805, the Draped Bust Half Dime was replaced by the Capped Bust design, which featured a different depiction of Liberty and a larger eagle on the reverse. The Capped Bust Half Dime remained in production until 1837 when it was replaced by the Seated Liberty design.

Today, the Draped Bust Half Dime is highly sought after by collectors due to its historical significance and scarcity. It represents an important era in early American coinage and serves as a reminder of the nation's numismatic heritage.

 Key Dates

1796: The Draped Bust Half Dime was first minted in 1796, and this inaugural year is highly coveted by collectors. It is considered one of the most important and scarce dates in the series. Only a limited number of these coins were produced, making them rare and valuable.

1797: The 1797 Draped Bust Half Dime is another significant date in the series. Like the 1796 issue, it has low mintage figures, making it quite rare. Varieties of this year include the 15 Stars and 16 Stars varieties, referring to the number of stars representing the states on the obverse of the coin.

1802: The 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime is a key date known for its scarcity. Very few of these coins were minted, and surviving examples are highly sought after by collectors. This date is particularly challenging to find in high grades, adding to its desirability.

1804: The 1804 Draped Bust Half Dime is another important key date. It has a low mintage and is considered a scarce issue. Examples in good condition are highly valued by collectors.