1808 Draped Bust Half Cent
Base
About This Coin
The 1808 Draped Bust Half Cent is a United States cent from the Draped Bust Half Cents 1800-1808 series — the final year of the series. In 1808, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 800,000. This ranks 5th of 8 years by total mintage, above the series median of 638,000. The obverse features Liberty facing right with draped bust and ribbon-bound hair, designed after a Gilbert Stuart portrait and the reverse displays a wreath enclosing HALF CENT. Final year of the Draped Bust Half Cent. No half cents were struck from 1812-1824. Struck in copper, weighing 5.44 grams, 23.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Produced 6 years after the celebrated 1802 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $123 to $1.4K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $45K in MS64+BN grade at Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Designed by Robert Scot.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
