Half Dollar 1796 Draped Bust, Coin from United States - detailed information

The Half Dollar is a United States coin worth 50 cents. It has been produced since 1794.

The Draped Bust design was the second type of half dollar issued into circulation. It features on the obverse the draped bust of Miss Liberty, giving the design its name. The design is the same as on other denominations of the same period. The obverse was paired with two different reverses, a standing "small" eagle (in 1796 and 1797) and the "heraldic eagle" from the Coat of Arms of the United State (1801 to 1807).

In 1807, the design of the denomination changed to the Capped Bust obverse and a new eagle reverse. This type was only struck by the Philadelphia Mint, which was the only mint in the United States at the time.

The composition is 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The silver format of the half dollar was debased in 1965, and then changed to base metal in 1971. However, silver coins have never been formally withdrawn or demonetised, and are still legal tender. This, of course, is of academic interest only, as the original half dollars had already disappeared from circulation long before 1965, and their numismatic value is enormously higher than their face value.