Bust Half Dime (1794-1837)

The bust half dime is part of the larger half dime family of U.S. coins. There were several varieties of the Bust Half Dime produced including the Draped Bust with small eagle reverse, the Draped Bust with heraldic eagle reverse and the Capped Bust.

Bust Half Dimes-What Dealers Pay

Like other coins, the value of a Bust Half Dime can vary greatly based on the coin’s mint year, edition and overall physical condition. For example, a Capped Bust variety from 1829 in good condition may trade for about $35. A Draped Bust variety from 1796 in uncirculated condition may trade for nearly $10,000. If you have a Bust Half Dime from a select year or a coin that appears to be in impeccable physical condition, you may want to consider having your coin graded by a professional coin grading company such as PCGS or NGC.

These coin grading companies go to great lengths to verify your coin’s authenticity and metal content. They also thoroughly scrutinize every last detail of your coin to assign it a grade based on its condition. By taking the time to have your coin graded, you can have peace of mind that you have a genuine coin and a good idea of its fair market value.

Bust Half Dimes-Value is Conditional

You can try to get a good idea of how your Bust Half Dime might potentially be graded by performing a close inspection of your coin. One way to do this is to pick a starting point such as one of the coin’s details. For example, you could examine the stars on the coin’s obverse. If the stars have been worn down and have little texture left to them, then your coin is likely in good condition. If the stars have some slight wear, but still have good texture and little to no discoloration, then your coin might potentially be in fine condition. If the stars appear to be brand new and freshly struck with no visible imperfections, then your coin could possibly be in extremely fine condition.

Bust Half Dime Overview

Some Bust Half Dimes may be considered scarce today. These coins were small and therefore often lost. Some may have been melted down for their silver content while others may be nearly or even totally unrecognizable today from so many years of wear, tear and use. The earliest editions of these coins may be potentially more valuable than some later editions. That being said, many later editions are also quite valuable and may be very difficult to obtain.

Bust Half Dime Values

Bust Half Dimes have historical significance and some are quite scarce. This makes these coins quite desirable to coin collectors and dealers. These coins may potentially continue to increase in value as they age further. In addition, they may become more and more difficult to obtain as the years go by, possibly adding even further to their collectability and value. These coins can be a great addition to both large and small collections, and some of the less expensive coins can be a great starter coin for new collectors.

Bust Half Dimes

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1794 Flowing Hair Bust Half Dime	$1,500	$2,400	$7,500	$11,000
1795 Flowing Hair Bust Half Dime	$1,350	$1,850	$6,500	$8,000
1796 Draped Bust Half Dime	$1,300	$3,000	$8,750	$13,500
1796 Draped Bust Half Dime (LIKERTY)	$1,500	$3,450	$8,750	$12,500
1796 Draped Bust Half Dime (6 Over 5)	$1,500	$3,500	$9,500	$15,000
1797 Draped Bust Half Dime (15 Stars)	$1,800	$3,450	$8,750	$12,500
1797 Draped Bust Half Dime (16 Stars)	$1,800	$3,450	$8,750	$12,500
1797 Draped Bust Half Dime (13 Stars)	$2,000	$4,500	$13,500	$25,000
1800 Draped Bust Half Dime	$1,000	$2,000	$6,000	$8,500
1800 Draped Bust Half Dime (LIKERTY)	$1,200	$2,500	$6,500	$8,500
1801 Draped Bust Half Dime	$1,500	$3,000	$6,500	$10,000
1802 Draped Bust Half Dime	$33,000	$60,000	$200,000	$250,000
1803 Draped Bust Half Dime (Large 8)	$1,000	$2,000	$6,000	$9,000
1803 Draped Bust Half Dime (Small 8)	$1,000	$2,500	$6,500	$10,000
1805 Draped Bust Half Dime	$1,000	$2,750	$9,000	$20,000
1829 Capped Bust Half Dime	$75	$135	$250	$375
1830 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1831 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1832 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1833 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1834 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1835 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1836 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
1837 Capped Bust Half Dime	$55	$80	$185	$250
Source: Red Book