Designed by: Robert Scot
Issue Dates: 1801-1807
Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
Diameter: 32.5 mm
Weight: 13.48 grams
Edge: Lettered FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR
Business Strike Mintage: 1,600,787
Proof Mintage: None

Half dollars minted from 1801 through 1807 continue the Draped Bust obverse motif introduced in 1796. In 1801 the stars were standardized to a count of 13, with seven to the left and six to the right. Miss Liberty appears facing right, her hair flowing behind her head and, tied with a ribbon bow. Her low neckline is covered by a gown or drapery. LIBERTY is above and the date is below. The reverse is an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States and consists of an eagle with a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, and with a scroll inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM in its beak. Above the eagle is an arc of clouds below which is a group of stars. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds.

There are no rare dates within the 1801-1807 span, although some varieties are elusive. Nearly all specimens encountered display weakness of striking in one area or another, with the quality of strike be­ coming less and less as the years advanced. Nearly all seen with the dates of 1806 and, particularly, 1807 show weakness. Specimens are typically found in grades from Very Good to Very Fine, although Extremely Fine pieces are found with some frequency. AU pieces are scarce, and strictly Uncirculated coins are rare. Even an Uncirculated specimen of 1807, for example, is apt to be very weakly defined in such areas as the rims, the obverse and reverse stars, and parts of the eagle.