US Draped Bust Half Dime, Dime, Quarter, Half, and One Dollar (Small Eagle) (Fakes are possible) 1795 to 1798

The beautiful half dollar in the picture comes from Stack's Bowers. It is a $40000 US dollar coin. This gives you an idea of the value of these coins.

In this day and age, any discussion of US Draped Bust coinage must start with the subject of counterfeits. Please review our appraisals associated with fake silver dollars at this CoinQuest link, and look at the side-by-side comparison immediately below.

The second compulsory subject is this:

NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

With those two items out of the way, we can say that these grand old coins from the inception of our democracy are one of the most sought-after collectibles in the nation. Collector demand is way up, and therefore so is value.

If you have any of these coins, seek out an in-person appraisal with a knowledgeable collector or coin dealer.

A major design shift happened in 1798 when this 'small eagle' reverse was replaced by the large 'heraldic eagle' reverse. The small eagle design is shown in our picture. Click to this CoinQuest page for the heraldic eagle coins.

Below is what the Red Book says about the average catalog value of these coins. See our Terminology page to be sure you understand what 'catalog value' means. Beware: catalog values are inflated values. Actual buy and sell prices are, almost always, less than catalog value.

SMALL EAGLE HALF DIMES, 1796 and 1797 (17 mm diameter)
worn: $800 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $4000
well preserved: $8000
Fully uncirculated: $18000

SMALL EAGLE DIMES, 1796 and 1797 (19 mm diameter)
worn: $1400 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $6000
well preserved: $11000
Fully uncirculated: $35000

SMALL EAGLE QUARTER DOLLARS, 1796 (28 mm diameter)
worn: $6000 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $30000
well preserved: $44000
Fully uncirculated: $80000

SMALL EAGLE HALF DOLLARS, 1796 to 1797 (33 mm diameter)
worn: $30000 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $58000
well preserved: $120000
Fully uncirculated: $300000

SMALL EAGLE DOLLARS, 1795 to 1798 (39 mm diameter)
worn: $1000 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $5000
well preserved: $10000
Fully uncirculated: $80000

These numbers are for coins without damage, which means they have no spots, stains, cleanings, scratches, nicks, gouges, and so forth. Any and all of these damages detract from the catalog values above.

Look at the comparison of a genuine and fake coin. There are many not-so-subtle differences readily discernable. Some fakes, however, can only be determined by a skilled numismatist with a microscope. The second picture below makes this apparent.


While most of the details are correct, there are departures present in the fake. Also, the overall appearance of the fake is not natural and the surfaces appear 'mushy.' If in doubt, an in-person inspection by a professional authenticator is required.
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