Coin Specifications

The first dimes of the United States were not minted until 1796. This was already four years after the Coinage Act of 1792, which established the specifications for the denomination. The early mint had already produced other denominations with the flowing hair design, but by the time production of dimes began the draped bust design had already come into use.

The Draped Bust Dime features an obverse portrait of Liberty with her bust slightly draped and hair flowing and lightly bound. There is the inscription “Liberty” above and the date below, with stars to each side. The number of stars varied in the early years of the series, as the Mint added more to represent newly admitted states. In 1797, the number of stars reverted to thirteen and remained as such for the duration of the series.

The reverse design for the series initially featured a small eagle positioned within a wreath. In 1798, this was replaced with a heraldic eagle, pictured with a shield at its chest and arrows and an olive branch in talons. The only reverse inscription was “United States of America”. The denomination did not appear anywhere on the coin, leaving the value to be determined based on weight or comparison to other coins.

As with other early silver coinage of the United States, the composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The weight was 2.70 grams, or twice the wight of the previously released half dime.

Draped Bust Dime Coin Specifications

dimes draped bust

The second design type for the fifty cent denomination was introduced in 1796 and ultimately used until 1807. The Draped Bust Half Dollar includes two distinct reverse types, the first which appear in 1796 and 1797 and the second from 1801 to 1807.

Specifications for the coins remained the same as the previous Flowing Hair Half Dollars, although continued improvements in minting and technology would bring actual coin specifications more often in line with the standards. The composition consisted of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. For underweight or overweight planchets, the early mint may have made adjustment marks or plugs prior to striking. The approximate diameter of coins was 32.5 mm with a weight of 13.48 grams or 208 grains.

Robert Scot is credited with the designs for the Draped Bust Half Dollar, although it is said to have been based on drawings by Gilbert Stuart. An image of Liberty appears facing left with a portion of her bust, which is draped, visible within the image. There are stars to either side, which alternately numbered 15, 16, or 13, and the word “Liberty” above and the date below. The initial reverse type known as the small eagle reverse was carried over from the previous type, but had the addition of the fraction “1/2″ below the eagle.

The later reverse type used from 1801 until the end of the series featured a heraldic eagle based on the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle appeared behind a shield with a bundle of arrows and olive branch in its claws. Clouds and thirteen stars appeared above with “United States of America” surrounding the image. Indication of the denomination was removed and now only noted by the edge lettering.

Draped Bust Half Dollar Coin Specifications

halves draped bust

From 1796 to 1805, the United States Mint issued the Draped Bust Half Dimes. This was the second type for the denomination, which carried the specifications required by the Mint Act of 1792. This series was very short in duration, but made a lasting impression on coin collectors through the creation of a significant rarity.

The obverse portrait of Liberty is said to have been designed by Robert Scot, based on concepts provided by the famous Philadelphia portraitist Gilbert Stuart. Liberty faces right, with hair lightly bound and her bust draped. The reverse design initially depicted a small sized eagle within a circular wreath. This was later changed to a heraldic eagle with a ribbon in its beak, an olive branch and arrows in its talons, stars and clouds above.

Each Draped Bust Half Dime was struck in a composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. This unusually specific ratio would not be adjusted to the more familiar 90% silver, 10% copper until the final year of the following series in 1837. The coins had a diameter of 16.5 mm, which would be reduced to 15.5, again in the subsequent series.

All coins were struck at the early Philadelphia Mint and carried a reeded edge. It’s worth noting that the denomination did not appear anywhere on the coin, as was usually the case with these early U.S. coin series.

Draped Bust Half Dime Coin Specifications

half dimes draped bust

The series of Draped Bust Quarters represented the first design for the denomination. Introduced in 1796, and then after a production gap, struck from 1804 to 1807 with a different reverse, these coins have several interesting aspects for collectors. Two years have remarkably low mintages and the first issue represents an important one year type coin.

The Draped Bust Quarter was designed by Robert Scot. On the obverse Liberty appears facing left with her hair tied in a ribbon and folds of drapery across her bust. There are fifteen surrounding, which represented the current number of states in the union. The initial reverse design featured an eagle surrounded by a wreath of olive and palm tied with a ribbon. From 1804 to 1807, the obverse contained only 13 stars and the reverse featured a heraldic eagle with a shield before its chest and an olive branch and arrows in its talons.

The coins were struck in a composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The standard weight was 6.74 grams and diameter 27.5 mm. For the initial design, the denomination was not indicated, but for the second design it appeared as “25 C.” on the reverse.

Draped Bust Quarter Coin Specifications

quarters draped bust