1802 Draped Bust Half Dime

About This Coin

The 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime is a United States dime from the Draped Bust Half Dimes 1796-1805 series. The obverse features Liberty facing right with draped bust and ribbon-bound hair, designed after a Gilbert Stuart portrait, while the reverse displays a small, naturalistic eagle perched on a palm branch within a wreath (1796-1797) or a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM (1800-1805). Designed by Robert Scot. Struck in 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper, weighing 1.35 grams, 16.5 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The Draped Bust Half Dime continued the smallest silver denomination. The gap between 1797 and 1800 reflects the Mint's limited resources and competing demand for other denominations. The 1802 is a famous rarity with only about 30 survivors from a mintage of 3,060.