Draped Bust Half Dollar
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Spanning 1796 to 1807, the Draped Bust Half Dollar catalog contains 18 year-and-mintmark variants. Across the series, the key date is the 1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar at just 3,918 struck and the highest-value variant is the 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar at up to $500,000 in top grade.
Draped Bust Half Dollar Mintage by Year
Peak 840KCombined mintage per year across every strike type (circulated, proof, and specimen) and all mintmarks.
About the Draped Bust Half Dollar
The Draped Bust Half Dollar was a silver coin issued by the United States between 1796 and 1807. It was designed by Robert Scot and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful coins to ever come out of the US Mint.
The obverse side of the coin features the head and shoulders of Lady Liberty, draped in a ribbon and her hair pulled up into a band. She is looking toward the right, with the year of mintage underneath her neck. On the reverse side is a small eagle with an olive branch and arrows in its claws. Above the eagle are the words “HALF DOLLAR” and below the eagle is the denomination mark.
The Draped Bust Half Dollar was minted using the Coinage Act of 1792 and comprised of 90% silver. The coin was originally issued with a weight of 13.48 grams and diameter of 32.5 mm.
The Draped Bust Half Dollar remains a popular collectible today due to its beautiful design and rare dates. A number of uncirculated coins are currently being traded, although prices can be high for coins in good condition.
The Draped Bust Half Dollar is an iconic piece of US coinage and its beauty and history make it a must-own item for any coin collector. For those looking to add this coin to their collection, PCGS or NGC can help to authenticate and grade coins to make sure they are authentic.
Most-collected Draped Bust Half Dollar coins on LuckyCoin
Looking for coins from a specific year across every denomination? Browse US coin values by year →
Which Draped Bust Half Dollar coins do collectors actually own? See the 2026 rarity & ownership report →
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Draped Bust Half Dollar minted?
- The Draped Bust Half Dollar was minted by United States from 1796 to 1807.
- How many Draped Bust Half Dollar coins were minted?
- Across every year and mintmark, approximately 1,604,705 Draped Bust Half Dollar coins were struck.
- What is the Draped Bust Half Dollar made of?
- The Draped Bust Half Dollar is made of silver (.8924) (.1076 copper), weighs 13.48 grams, and measures 32.5 mm in diameter.
- How much is a Draped Bust Half Dollar 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 $500,000. See individual year pages for grade-by-grade estimates.