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![Image for Draped Bust Half Dollar 50c Small Eagle, 1796-1797 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1797-obv.jpeg?MaxHeight=640&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
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Obverse Description
Liberty is portrayed with a so-called "draped bust," facing right, with her hair tied back with a ribbon. She is flanked by stars on the left and right periphery with the word LIBERTY on top, and the date positioned at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The so-called "small eagle" is portrayed standing atop rocks motif in the center with wings fully surrounded by an olive wreath that is tied by a ribbon into a bow at the bottom. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. The denomination is spelled out as a fraction of "1/2" at the bottom, under the bow.
Book Reference
Designer: Robert Scot. Weight: 13.48 grams. Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper. Diameter: Approximately 32.5 mm. Edge: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR with decorations between words. Mint: Philadelphia.
Key to Collecting: Among design types of United States silver coins made in circulationstrike format (not Proof finish) this is the Holy Grail, the rarest by far. At the time, most depositors of silver requested dollars, and during this two-year period only 3,918 half dollars were struck. As there was no numismatic interest in them in America, nearly all slipped into circulation and became worn. Most are in grades from well worn to F or VF, some of the latter being generously graded (and equal to simply F of a few decades ago). EF and AU coins are very rare. Some are porous and grainy; avoid these. The total population of this type is only in the hundreds of coins—not many when you consider the demand for them. Relatively few high-grade examples have survived. Mint State coins are exceedingly rare, with fewer than two dozen examples in existence, nearly all of which are dated 1796. Some of 1796 have prooflike surfaces. Due to the great value of such pieces, overgrading and wishful thinking enter into the assigning of numbers. Buy with care, and be sure that a coin is pleasing to your eye.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Most specimens are fairly well struck, at least at quick glance. The rarity of this type comes into play, and life is too short to wait for a needle-sharp example. Select one that has decent striking of the features, including star centers, hair of Liberty, and details on the eagle. In summary, a sharply struck coin is a goal, not necessarily a reality. Beyond that, many have Mint-caused planchetadjustment marks.
Catalog Information
GSID:
72409
Designer:
Robert Scot
Obverse Designer:
Robert Scot
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, [Date]
Reverse Designer:
Robert Scot
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1/2
Fineness:
0.89
Weight (gr):
13.48 gr
Weight (oz):
0.4755 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.3868 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
32.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Lettered (FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR)
Variety:
Small Eagle
Variety 2:
1796-1797
Coin Date:
Draped Bust Half Dollar
Denomination:
50c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Draped bust half dollar
Coinage Years:
1796-1797
Composition:
89% silver; 11% copper
PCGS #:
6056
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for Draped Bust Half Dollar 50c Small Eagle, 1796-1797 MS [Type]
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Coin Value History
Draped Bust Half Dollar 50c Small Eagle, 1796-1797 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Draped Bust Half Dollar 50c Small Eagle, 1796-1797 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$2,160,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,800,000 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1796 50c 15 Stars MS
Worth: $24,000 – $650,000
1796 50c 15 Stars, Special Strike SP
Worth: $650,000 – $750,000
1796 50c 16 Stars MS
Worth: $24,000 – $1,800,000
1797 50c MS
Worth: $24,000 – $2,000,000
Draped Bust 50c Heraldic Eagle, 1801-1807 MS [Type]
![Draped Bust 50c Heraldic Eagle, 1801-1807 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1807-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $120 – $150,000
1801 50c MS
Worth: $600 – $396,000
1802 50c MS
Worth: $850 – $136,800
1803 50c Large 3 MS
Worth: $220 – $175,000
1803 50c Small 3 MS
Worth: $210 – $225,600
1805/4 50c MS
Worth: $240 – $156,000
1805 50c MS
Worth: $220 – $50,000
1806/5 50c Large Stars MS
Worth: $220 – $222,000
1806 50c Knob 6, Small Stars MS
Worth: $160 – $48,000
1806 50c Knob 6, No Stem MS
Worth: $36,000 – $126,000
1806 50c 6 over Inverted 6 MS
Worth: $200 – $72,000
1797 50C O-102, T-2, Low R.6, VG10 PCGS. ...
$53,680
1797 50C O-102, T-2, Low R.6, VF25 PCGS. CAC. Amato-505. ...
$106,750
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, AU53 PCGS. CAC. Amato-115. ...
$336,000
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, VF30 PCGS. CAC. Amato-137....
$108,000
1797 50C O-102, T-2, High R.5, Fine 12 PCGS....
$37,200
1797 50C O-102, T-2, High R.5, AU55+ PCGS. Amato-501....
$162,000
1797 50C Draped Bust, Small Eagle, O-101a, T-1, High R.4, Fine 15 PCGS. Amato-425. ...
$52,800
1796 50C 16 Stars, O-102, T-2, R.6, Amato-227, VF35 PCGS....
$102,000
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, AU50 PCGS....
$144,000
1797 50C O-101, T-1, High R.5, Good 6 PCGS. Amato-332....
$38,400
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, Good 4 PCGS. Amato-456....
$25,200
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, XF45 NGC. Amato-125. ...
$102,000
1796 50C 16 Stars, O-102, T-2, High R.5, MS66 PCGS. Amato-200. ...
$1,800,000
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, MS65+ PCGS. CAC. Amato-400. ...
$1,560,000
1797 50C O-101, T-1, High R.5, AG3 PCGS. Amato - Unlisted. ...
$24,000
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, XF40 PCGS. Amato 141/145. ...
$105,000
50C 1796 15 STARS. PCGS AU58+
$258,500
50C 1796 16 STARS. PCGS F12
$45,825
1797 50C O-102, T-2, Low R.6, MS61 NGC. Amato-500. ...
$192,000
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, VF20 NGC. Amato-427. ...
$42,000
Greysheet News
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
7/23/2024
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
