US Draped Bust Half Dime, Dime, Quarter, Half, and One Dollar (Heraldic Eagle) (Fakes are possible) 1798 to 1807

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 professional coin dealer.

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

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.

HERALDIC EAGLE HALF DIMES, 1800 to 1805 (17 mm diameter)
worn: $500 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $2500
well preserved: $6500
fully uncirculated: $13000
half dimes dated 1802 are extremely rare

HERALDIC EAGLE DIMES, 1798 to 1807 (19 mm diameter)
worn: $400 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1400
well preserved: $4400
fully uncirculated: $18000
dimes dated 1804 are very rare, cataloging over $10000 in average circulated condition

HERALDIC EAGLE QUARTER DOLLARS, 1804 to 1807 (28 mm diameter)
worn: $300 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1300
well preserved: $3200
fully uncirculated: $12000
quarter dollars dated 1804 are quite rare, cataloging at $13000 in average circulated condition

HERALDIC EAGLE HALF DOLLARS, 1801 to 1807 (33 mm diameter)
worn: $250 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $800
well preserved: $1700
fully uncirculated: $12000
half dollars dated 1801 and 1802 are more rare; multiply these values by 3

HERALDIC EAGLE DOLLARS, 1798 to 1804 (39 mm diameter)
worn: $900 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $2300
well preserved: $4600
fully uncirculated: $20000

These numbers are for coins without damage, which means they have no spots, stains, scratches, nicks, gouges, and so forth. It also means they have not been cleaned. 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 and other sophisticated equipment and databases.
cqLastNotify