U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Draped Bust half dollar
Draped Bust halves: two eagles across a production gap
The later reverse belongs to coins dated after several years without half-dollar coinage.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
The small and heraldic eagles
The 1796–1797 half dollars have a small eagle reverse. Production resumes in 1801 with the heraldic eagle, continuing through 1807. Keep that gap visible; the span does not create 1798–1800 issues. Identify denomination with the edge, dimensions, and exact type reference when a face lacks a value inscription.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Half Dollar ↗
Soft centers need a broader condition record
Inspect Liberty’s hair, obverse stars, eagle, reverse stars, rims, and fields. The later dates can have considerable strike weakness. A flat central feature alone cannot establish heavy wear or mint-state preservation. Use the surface texture and detail across several areas, then describe scratches and cleaning separately.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Half Dollar ↗
The comparison must share the reverse
A small-eagle type and a later heraldic-eagle half belong to different collecting contexts. Add an Overton number only after a complete die match. Match date, type, attribution, and surfaces in current sales rather than carrying the scarcity of the early type into an ordinary later coin.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Half Dollar ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.
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