1802 Draped Bust Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1802 Draped Bust Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Draped Bust Half Dollars 1796-1807 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 (1801-1807). Designed by Robert Scot. Struck in 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper, weighing 13.5 grams, 32.5 mm in diameter, with a lettered: fifty cents or half a dollar edge. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The Draped Bust Half Dollar continued the evolution of the denomination. The small eagle reverse (1796-1797) gives way to the more imposing heraldic eagle (1801-1807). No half dollars were struck from 1798-1800 due to heavy demand for other denominations. The 1796 and 1797 small eagle halves are among the most sought-after early U.S. coins. All dates in this series command significant premiums.