Draped Bust Half Dollar Heraldic Eagle (1801-1807) – In 1897, half dollar production was halted after just a few short years of operation and didn’t resume until 1801. The original Scot small eagle reverse was replaced with a heraldic eagle. But, Gilbert Stuart’s draped Liberty obverse remained in use until the complete half dollar redesign in 1807. The number of stars surrounding the buxom obverse portrait was reduced from 16 to 13 to represent the original colonies. The earlier small eagle design was only produced in miniscule numbers. But, by 1803 production of half dollars had increased substantially. In 1806 839,576 examples were struck creating the more collectible date for the issue. A number of varieties exist across the series creating a myriad of choices for modern collectors. Regardless, the Draped Bust coinage remains elusive.
Auctions
