Half Cent - Drapped Bust (1800-1808)

Specifications, Details and General Information

By James Bucki, About.com Guide

Obverse	Reverse
Click on the images above to view a larger photo Image Courtesy of: Heritage Auction Galleries, Ha.com

Background and History

The Draped Bust design was first introduced in 1796 on the large cent. In 1800 the design was adopted for the half cent. These coins were struck with the Draped Bust design until 1808. However, no specimens were struck in 1801. One interesting variety was created in 1804 when a foreign object damaged obverse die right near Lady Liberty's chin. The resulting damage to the die created a spear-like projection from her chin. Since each individual die was carved by hand, there are many different and interesting varieties in almost every year the coin was produced. Unlike earlier dated half cents, most coins are most readily available in any grade desired due to several hoards of half cents being discovered over the years.

Coin Values and Prices:

• Draped Bust (1800-1808) Half Cents Coin Values
• Draped Bust (1800-1808) Half Cents Prices

Detailed Specifications

Production Years, Mints and Types

The Drapped Bust Half Cent was minted as indicated in the following table.  The table lists the years, strike type, mint facility where made, the mint mark used on the coin and a description of any type differences in coins minted for that year.

Errors and Varieties

The following are popular errors and varieties that Drapped Bust Half Cent collectors look for. These coins usually carry a premium and are valued above a common coin.

Mintage Figures

The following table lists mint production numbers for the number of Drapped Bust half cent produced at each mint facility.

Suggested Books on Drapped Bust Half Cent

• Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents, 1793-1857; Walter Breen; Publisher: American Institute of Numismatic Research; First Printing edition (1983)
• American Half Cents: the "Little Half Sisters"; Roger S Cohen; Publisher: Wigglesworth & Ghatt Co. (1982)
• Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins; Walter Breen; Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (May 1, 1988); ISBN-13: 978-0385142076
• The Half Cent Die State Book 1793-1857; Ronald P. Manley, J.R. Grellman Jr.; Publisher: pub. By author; 1ST edition (1998)
• The Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 5th Edition, Volume 1; Fivaz, Bill and J.T. Stanton; Publisher: Whitman Publishing, Atlanta (2009); ISBN-13: 978-0794822859

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