Draped Bust Half Cent (1800-08)
Mint Mark Information

In 1800, the Half Cent picked up on the Draped Bust theme, which had been in use on other United States coins since 1796. The Draped Bust Half Cent was produced every year until 1808.

Lady Liberty was based on a Gilbert Stuart portrait of Ann Willing Bingham, a well-known Philadelphia socialite. The Liberty Cap of the previous half cent designs was dropped, but now Liberty wore a fashionable dress.

There are no mint marks on the Draped Bust Half Cent. They all came from the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark until 1942. We have a section devoted to further study of the Draped Bust Half Cent, as well as other US Half Cents.

Draped Bust Half Cent Obverse

Draped Bust Half Cent Reverse

The following table summarizes the mint mark information on the Draped Bust Half Cent:

Thus, there are no mint marks anywhere to be found on the Draped Bust Half Cent because they all came from the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark (P) until the 20th century. Please note coin photos at right provided courtesy of Goldberg Coins.

Key date coins are relatively rare coins whose supply does not meet demand, resulting in consistent price gains in the long term. The 1802 (both varieties) are considered by many to be important key dates in the Draped Bust Half Cent series. Sometimes you can find a few available on eBay:

1802 Half Cent