U.S. Half-Dollar Coins
(1794 - Current)
U.S. Fifty-Cent coinage, commonly known as the half-dollar, was first issued in 1794 and has played a prominent role in American commerce and coin design for over two centuries. Traditionally struck in silver, the denomination has showcased some of the most celebrated designs in U.S. numismatics, reflecting national ideals, artistic movements, and changing monetary standards. While no longer widely used in everyday transactions, the half dollar remains a cornerstone of U.S. coin collecting and a symbol of America’s rich numismatic heritage.
Check out every series of U.S. Half-Dollar Coins below, complete with dates & mintages for each.
Flowing Hair Half-Dollar
(1794 - 1795)
The Flowing Hair Half Dollar was among the first silver denominations struck by the United States Mint, debuting in 1794. The obverse features Liberty with loose, flowing hair—symbolizing freedom—while the reverse displays a small eagle encircled by a wreath.
These early half dollars were struck in 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, with a weight of approximately 13.48 grams. In 1795, the reverse transitioned from the Small Eagle design to the Heraldic Eagle motif, marking an important subtype within the short two-year series.
As one of the earliest federal silver issues, Flowing Hair half dollars are highly significant historically and are scarce in all grades today.
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1794 | 23,464
1795 | 299,680
Draped Bust Half-Dollar
(1796 - 1807)
The Draped Bust Half Dollar succeeded the Flowing Hair design and features a more refined portrait of Liberty attributed to artist Gilbert Stuart, with engraving work by Robert Scot. The obverse presents Liberty with draped clothing and flowing hair, while the reverse initially displayed a Small Eagle (1796–1797) before transitioning to the Heraldic Eagle design (1798–1807).
These coins were struck in 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, weighing approximately 13.48 grams. In 1837, the standard silver fineness was later adjusted across U.S. coinage, but Draped Bust halves retain the earlier composition.
The 1796 issue is a key date due to its limited mintage, and early varieties within the series are avidly collected. As a short-lived early federal type, Draped Bust half dollars remain historically important and scarce in higher grades.
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Type 1, Small Eagle
1796 | 1,500
1797 | 2,418
Type 2, Large Eagle
1801 | 30,289
1802 | 29,890
1803 | 188,234
1805 | 211,722
1806 | 839,576
1807 | 301,076
Capped Bust Half-Dollar
(1807 - 1839)
The Capped Bust Half Dollar replaced the Draped Bust design in 1807, featuring Liberty wearing a soft cap inscribed “LIBERTY.” The design was created by John Reich, a German-born assistant engraver at the U.S. Mint. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows.
From 1807 to 1836, these halves were struck in 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, weighing approximately 13.48 grams. In 1836, improved steam-powered presses were introduced, and beginning in 1837 the composition was adjusted to 90% silver and 10% copper, with a slightly reduced weight of 13.36 grams. The later issues (1836–1839) are known as the Reeded Edge type, while earlier coins feature a lettered edge reading “FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR.”
Capped Bust halves are popular with both type collectors and variety specialists, especially those studying die marriages cataloged by Overton numbers. Earlier dates and certain varieties carry strong premiums, particularly in higher grades.
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Type 1, Lettered Edge
1807 | 750,500
1808 | 1,368,600
1809 | 1,405,810
1810 | 1,276,276
1811 | 1,203,644
1812 | 1,628,059
1813 | 1,241,903
1814 | 1,039,075
1815 | 47,150
1817 | 1,215,567
1818 | 1,960,322
1819 | 2,208,000
1820 | 751,122
1821 | 1,305,797
1822 | 1,559,573
1823 | 1,694,200
1824 | 3,504,954
1825 | 2,943,166
1825 | 2,943,166
1826 | 4,004,180
1827 | 5,493,400
1828 | 3,075,200
1829 | 3,712,156
1830 | 4,764,800
1831 | 5,873,660
1832 | 4,797,000
1833 | 5,206,000
1834 | 6,412,004
1835 | 5,352,006
1836, Lettered Edge | 6,545,000
Type 2, Reeded Edge, "50 CENTS" on Reverse
1836, Reeded Edge | 1,200
1837 | 3,629,820
1838 | 3,546,000
1838-O | 20
1839 | 1,392,976
1839-O | 178,976
Seated Liberty Half-Dollar
(1839 - 1891)
The Seated Liberty Half Dollar debuted in 1839, featuring Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and pole topped with a liberty cap. The design was created by Christian Gobrecht. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows, similar in concept to earlier silver denominations.
All Seated Liberty halves were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 13.36 grams after the 1837 weight adjustment. Over its long run, the series underwent several design modifications, including the addition of drapery at Liberty’s elbow (added in 1840), arrows at the date in 1853–1855 to denote a slight weight reduction, and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” which first appeared on the reverse in 1866 following the Civil War.
This series includes numerous key and semi-key dates, branch mint issues (notably from New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City), and popular varieties. Many pieces saw heavy circulation, making higher-grade examples especially desirable to collectors.
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Type 1, No Drapery
1839 No Drapery | 100,000
Type 2, No Motto
1839 Drapery | 1,872,400
1840 | 1,008,600
1840-O | 855,100
1841 | 1,124,000
1841-O | 401,000
1842 | 2,390,000
1842-O | 754,000
1843 | 2,799,000
1843-O | 2,268,000
1844 | 2,144,000
1844-O | 2,005,000
1845 | 2,332,000
1845-O | 2,094,000
1846 | 2,890,000
1846-O | 2,304,000
1847 | 2,890,000
1847-O | 2,584,000
1848 | 2,440,000
1848-O | 3,180,000
1849 | 2,410,000
1849-O | 2,310,000
1850 | 2,232,000
1850-O | 2,456,000
1851 | 200,750
1851-O | 402,000
1852 | 77,130
1852-O | 144,000
Type 3, Arrows & Rays
1853 Arrows & Rays | 3,532,708
1853-O Arrows & Rays | 1,328,000
Type 4, No Motto, Arrows at Date
1854 Arrows | 4,060,000
1854-O Arrows | 5,240,000
1855 Arrows | 3,480,000
1855-O Arrows | 3,688,000
1855-S Arrows | 129,950
Type 2, No Motto
1856 | 4,320,000
1856-O | 2,658,000
1856-S | 211,000
1857 | 4,580,000
1857-O | 818,000
1857-S | 158,000
1858 | 3,500,000
1858-O | 7,294,000
1858-S | 476,000
1859 | 7,360,000
1859-O | 2,834,000
1859-S | 566,000
1860 | 6,300,000
1860-O | 1,290,000
1860-S | 472,000
1861 | 4,840,000
1861-O | 2,532,633
1861-S | 939,500
1862 | 1,580,000
1862-S | 1,352,000
1863 | 1,100,000
1863-S | 916,000
1864 | 379,000
1864-S | 658,000
1865 | 501,000
1865-S | 675,000
1866 No Motto | 9,900
1866-S No Motto | 60,000
Type 5, With Motto
1866 With Motto | 780,000
1866-S Motto | 994,000
1867 | 865,000
1867-S | 1,196,000
1868 | 290,000
1868-S | 1,160,000
1869 | 417,600
1869-S | 656,000
1870 | 507,600
1870-CC | 54,617
1870-S | 1,004,000
1871 | 384,600
1871-CC | 153,950
1871-S | 2,178,000
1872 | 980,000
1872-CC | 257,000
1872-S | 580,000
1873 (No Arrows) | 543,400
1873-CC No Arrows | 122,500
Type 6, With Motto, Arrows at Date
1873 Arrows | 1,228,000
1873-CC Arrows | 214,560
1873-S Arrows | 228,000
1874 Arrows | 2,359,600
1874-CC Arrows | 59,000
1874-S Arrows | 394,000
Type 5, With Motto
1875 | 3,700,000
1875-CC | 1,008,000
1875-S | 3,200,000
1876 | 3,470,000
1876-CC | 1,956,000
1876-S | 4,528,000
1877 | 5,100,000
1877-CC | 1,420,000
1877-S | 5,356,000
1878 | 2,130,000
1878-CC | 62,000
1879 | 1,100,000
1880 | 2,133,000
1881 | 1,000,000
1882 | 2,380,000
1883 | 3,100,000
1884 | 3,200,000
1885 | 3,200,000
1886 | 3,940,000
1887 | 5,100,000
1888 | 4,950,000
1889 | 5,650,000
1890 | 5,800,000
1891 | 5,300,000
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Type 2, No Motto
1858 Proof | 300
1859 Proof | 800
1860 Proof | 1,000
1861 Proof | 1,000
1862 Proof | 550
1863 Proof | 460
1864 Proof | 470
1865 Proof | 500
Type 5, With Motto
1866 Motto Proof | 725
1867 Proof | 625
1868 Proof | 600
1869 Proof | 600
1870 Proof | 1,000
1871 Proof | 960
1872 Proof | 950
1873 No Arrows Proof | 600
Type 6, With Motto, Arrows at Date
1873 Arrows Proof | 500
1874 Arrows Proof | 700
Type 5, With Motto
1875 Proof | 700
1876 Proof | 1,150
1877 Proof | 510
1878 Proof | 800
1879 Proof | 1,100
1880 Proof | 1,355
1881 Proof | 975
1882 Proof | 1,100
1883 Proof | 1,039
1884 Proof | 875
1885 Proof | 930
1886 Proof | 886
1887 Proof | 710
1888 Proof | 832
1889 Proof | 711
1890 Proof | 590
1891 Proof | 600
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