USA ½ dollar Draped Bust Half Dollar 1797
USA, Philadelphia
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 26 |
| Metal | Silver 0.893 |
| diameter | 32.5 mm |
| weight | 13.48 g |
Obverse:
Liberty
Star
Creators:
Robert Scot
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Bird
Creators:
Robert Scot
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
A single obverse die was paired with two different reverses to produce the half dollars dated 1797. The first of these reverse dies was a holdover from the 1796-dated coinage. All of the dies used to produce this issue developed cracks during their brief lifetimes. Between 1795 and 1801 there were only three deliveries of half dollars from the Mint's coiner to its treasurer, all of them dated during 1797. Researcher Steve Tompkins has broken down that of May 26, 1797 into 1,000 pieces dated 1796 and 1,984 of the 1797-dated issue. Most reference books, however, simply cite the three-delivery total of 3,918 half dollars as being the collective mintage for 1796-97 half dollars. Variety O-101 is slightly more often seen than O-102, but there are few collectors of this date by die marriages. The majority of 1797 half dollars are purchased by persons seeking a single example of this two-year coin type. Both varieties are poorly struck in the stars at upper right and at the eagle's breast. A handful of Mint State pieces survive for the date, most survivors are well worn, falling into the F-VF range. Prices are always high for this coin type, due to its brief tenure and the small number minted.Read More
