Draped Bust Sm Eagle Half Dime (1796-97)
Mint Mark Information

In 1796 the Draped Bust type was put to use on several United States coins, including the half dime. Lady Liberty’s hair was held in place by a bow, departing from the flowing hair appearance of the preceding design. The reverse featured a rather scrawny depiction of an eagle.

The policy of the very early Mint was to add a star to coinage every time a state entered the Union. By the time the 1796 Draped Bust Half Dime was released, Vermont and Kentucky had joined with the original 13 states to bring the state count up to 15, hence the 1796 had 15 stars.

In 1797, a 16th star was added to mark the admission of Tennessee. Mint Director Elias Boudinot rightfully concluded this practice could not continue, so the number of stars was permanently reduced to 13. No half dimes were minted in 1798-99.

Responding to complaints of the national weakness conveyed by the small eagle, the Mint introduced a large eagle reverse in 1800.

Draped Bust Half Dime Obverse

Draped Bust Small Eagle
Half Dime Reverse

The table below indicates no Mint Marks appear on the Draped Bust Small Eagle Half Dime:

All Draped Bust Half Dimes were coined at the Philadelphia Mint, many years before the first branch mints were built. Before the emergence of the branches, there was no need for Mint Marks since everything came from the lone national facility at Philadelphia. A Draped Bust Half Dime with Small Eagle reverse is shown at right from the archives of Goldberg Coins.

The Small Eagle reverse lasted only a couple of years. Any coin belonging to this group is rare and held in high esteem among coin collectors.

1796-97 Drape Bust Half Dime