Following the short-lived United States half-disme of 1792, which is pretty rare these days, and the flowing hair half-dimes, one of the first five-cent half-dime coins that most collectors are interested in and can afford these days is the silver draped-bust Liberty half-dimes made between 1796 and 1805. Broadly speaking, collectors divide draped bust half-dimes into two varieties: the small eagle reverse type of 1796 and 1797; and the heraldic eagle reverse type made from 1800. As on other early American coins, there was no face value on the coin’s design, and its value was known simply by its size relative to other coins.
Various draped bust half-dimes of this era can generally be found for sale from several vendors at any given time. Check the current listings and see what is available for your collection of early American coins.
