The Draped Bust half cent returned the denomination in 1800 with a formal Liberty portrait, a wreath reverse, and a catalog rich in overdates and reverse pairings.

This guide covers Philadelphia issues dated 1800–1808, including the recorded 1802 and 1808 overdates and the cataloged 1804 reverse variety.

Core specifications

Issue period
1800–1808
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
3,324,950
Composition
100% Copper
Diameter
23.5 mm
Weight
5.44 g

A revived denomination built from early Mint dies

Half-cent production resumed after the 1790s pause, using the Draped Bust portrait already familiar across other denominations.

Small annual needs and repeated die use created a compact but technically varied series. Date punches, wreath stems, and reverse pairings matter more than the single major design type suggests.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

A draped Liberty faces right with LIBERTY above and the date below; overdates and numeral style are central diagnostics.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A wreath encloses HALF CENT and 1/200, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the rim; stem and spacing details identify reverses.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1800, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808; 3,324,950. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A normal-date type coin is the easiest entry, followed by date varieties and overdates with clearly documented markers.

  • 1800 P — 202,908. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1802 P - 2 Over 0 - Reverse of 1802 — 20,266. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1804 P - Crosslet 4 -Stems — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1808 P - 8 Over 7 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1808 P - Normal Date — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 1 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 1 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

1800 P Draped Bust Half Cent1802 P Draped Bust Half Cent - 2 Over 0 - Reverse of 18001802 P Draped Bust Half Cent - 2 Over 0 - Reverse of 18021803 P Draped Bust Half Cent1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - All Varieties1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Crosslet 4 - Stemless1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Crosslet 4 -Stems1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Plain 4 - Stemless Wreath1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Plain 4 - Stems to Wreath1804 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Spiked Chin1805 P Draped Bust Half Cent - All Varieties1805 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Large 5 - Stems1805 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Medium 5 - Stemless1805 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Small 5 - Stems1806 P Draped Bust Half Cent - All Varieties1806 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Large 6 - Stems1806 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Small 6 - Stemless1806 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Small 6 - Stems1807 P Draped Bust Half Cent1808 P Draped Bust Half Cent - All Varieties1808 P Draped Bust Half Cent - 8 Over 71808 P Draped Bust Half Cent - Normal Date

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
  • Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 22 issue records, 1 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Copper Half-Cent and One-Cent Coin Legislation — United States Mint
  2. Penny: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Draped Bust Half Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts