1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar - 16 Stars
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$822,500 MS66 05-19-2015 Stack's Bowers
Description
The 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar - 16 Stars is a half dollar minted at the Philadelphia Mint, within the Draped Bust Half Dollars 1796-1807 series. With a mintage of 934, this is an extremely rare issue — the lower-mintage of the two mint variants. The obverse features Liberty facing right with draped bust and ribbon-bound hair, designed after a Gilbert Stuart portrait and 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). First year of the Draped Bust Half Dollar. Only 3,918 struck with the small eagle reverse — a legendary rarity. Coined at the Philadelphia facility, the nation's original mint that has operated continuously since its 1792 founding. Estimated market value ranges from $45K to $726K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 13.48 grams, 32.5 mm in diameter, with a lettered: fifty cents or half a dollar edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6058.
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