Draped Bust Half Cent
235+ LuckyCoin collectors track this series
Spanning 1800 to 1808, the Draped Bust Half Cent catalog contains 19 year-and-mintmark variants. Across the series, the key date is the 1802 Draped Bust Half Cent at just 20,266 struck and the highest-value variant is the 1802 Draped Bust Half Cent at up to $130,000 in top grade.
Draped Bust Half Cent Mintage by Year
Peak 1.1MCombined mintage per year across every strike type (circulated, proof, and specimen) and all mintmarks.
About the Draped Bust Half Cent
The Draped Bust Half Cent is a one-half cent coin minted in the United States from 1800 to 1808. It was designed by Robert Scot and is considered to be the first distinct design of a half cent coin. The obverse of the coin features a bust of Liberty facing right, wearing a draped gown and a cap with a pole. The reverse of the coin features a wreath surrounding the denomination of "1/2 C."
The mintage of the Draped Bust Half Cent was relatively low, ranging from around 20,000 to 1,000,000 coins per year. This was due to a lack of demand for the coins, as the Mint had been producing half cents since 1793 and the public was more interested in the larger denominations. The coins were made from pure copper and had a diameter of 23mm. The Draped Bust Half Cent is a very desirable coin for collectors, due to its rarity and historical importance. It is also a very popular coin among numismatists, due to its unique design and interesting history. PCGS has graded more than 4,600 examples of the Draped Bust Half Cent, with the finest examples being graded MS-66 and higher.
Overall, the Draped Bust Half Cent is an important and desirable coin for collectors and numismatists. Its low mintage and unique design make it an attractive coin for anyone interested in American coinage.
Most-collected Draped Bust Half Cent coins on LuckyCoin
Looking for coins from a specific year across every denomination? Browse US coin values by year →
Which Draped Bust Half Cent coins do collectors actually own? See the 2026 rarity & ownership report →
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Draped Bust Half Cent minted?
- The Draped Bust Half Cent was minted by United States from 1800 to 1808.
- How many Draped Bust Half Cent coins were minted?
- Across every year and mintmark, approximately 3,416,950 Draped Bust Half Cent coins were struck.
- What is the Draped Bust Half Cent made of?
- The Draped Bust Half Cent is made of copper, weighs 5.44 grams, and measures 23.5 mm in diameter.
- How much is a Draped Bust Half Cent worth?
- Value depends on year, mintmark, and condition. Common dates in average circulated condition trade for near face value, while the rarest varieties in top grade can fetch up to $130,000. See individual year pages for grade-by-grade estimates.