Bust Half Dollar Values – Coin Price Guide
The Half Dollar has been produced since the very first days of the United States Mint and was always a popular and useful coin among U.S. citizens. The first iteration of the Half Dollar, known as the Bust Half Dollar, was introduced in 1794. Produced through the late 1830s, the Bust Half Dollar stayed in circulation for an extended period of time. Due to the extreme age of these coins, it is difficult to find one in Good or better condition.
Their extreme age also drives the price of these coins even when they have not been well preserved. As time goes by, acquisition of Bust Half Dollars grows increasingly difficult as there are fewer and fewer on the market.
THE VALUE OF A BUST HALF DOLLAR
THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER BUST HALF DOLLARS
It is not happenstance that the most coveted Bust Half Dollars are also the most expensive. The first Bust Half Dollar, the Flowing Hair Half Dollar, is far and away the most desirable coin to serious collectors. This particular variety of Half Dollar was minted for just two years. Only a small number of these coins ever existed and their scarcity is practically alarming to consider. That being said, all types of Bust Half Dollar are sought by collectors.
These coins were some of the first ever minted and circulated in the newly founded United States and are beautiful, meaningful pieces of American history. Collectors generally prefer to include only the most well-preserved coins in their collection. Of course, when considering a coin that is 200 or more years old, “well-preserved” becomes a relative term. The standards of condition are lower for the Bust Half Dollar than for later versions of the coin.
BUST HALF DOLLARS’ FUTURE VALUE
| DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar | $4,500 | $12,500 | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar (Normal Date) | $1,000 | $2,750 | $11,000 | $19,000 |
| 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar (Recut Date) | $1,000 | $2,750 | $11,000 | $20,500 |
| 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar (15 Stars) | $34,000 | $52,000 | $110,000 | $165,00 |
| 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar (16 Stars) | $36,500 | $56,000 | $110,000 | $170,000 |
| 1801 Draped Bust Half Dollar | $800 | $2,400 | $6,500 | $15,000 |
| 1802 Draped Bust Half Dollar | $750 | $2,500 | $7,000 | $17,000 |
| 1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Small 3) | $350 | $550 | $2,600 | $6,000 |
| 1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Large 3) | $325 | $500 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| 1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar (5 Over 4) | $290 | $875 | $3,500 | $7,500 |
| 1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Normal Date) | $260 | $450 | $2,250 | $5,000 |
| 1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar (6 Over 5) | $265 | $450 | $2,200 | $5,000 |
| 1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar (6 Over Inverted 6) | $300 | $925 | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| 1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar | $250 | $400 | $1,800 | $5,000 |
| 1815 Capped Bust Half Dollar (5 Over 2) | $1,250 | $2,200 | $5,150 | $10,000 |
| 1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $70 | $100 | $235 | $600 |
| 1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar (8 Over 7 Small) | $90 | $130 | $375 | $950 |
| 1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Small 9) | $75 | $120 | $275 | $750 |
| 1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Large 9) | $80 | $140 | $300 | $2,000 |
| 1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Square 2) | $100 | $140 | $475 | $1,150 |
| 1820 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Curl Base 2) | $90 | $135 | $450 | $1,100 |
| 1821 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $70 | $100 | $225 | $650 |
| 1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $70 | $100 | $225 | $450 |
| 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Normal) | $70 | $100 | $180 | $500 |
| 1824 Capped Bust Half Dollar (4 Over Various Dates) | $70 | $110 | $220 | $750 |
| 1824 Capped Bust Half Dollar (4 Over 1) | $75 | $115 | $220 | $750 |
| 1824 Capped Bust Half Dollar (4 Over 4) | $75 | $110 | $210 | $700 |
| 1828 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Curl Base Knob 2) | $70 | $95 | $200 | $700 |
| 1831 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Small Letters) | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
| 1831 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Large Letters) | $65 | $90 | $180 | $375 |
| 1832 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $60 | $80 | $180 | $375 |
| 1833 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $60 | $80 | $180 | $375 |
| 1834 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Large Dt and Letters) | $60 | $80 | $180 | $375 |
| 1835 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $60 | $80 | $180 | $375 |
| 1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $60 | $80 | $180 | $375 |
| 1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Beaded Border on Reverse) | $85 | $120 | $250 | $525 |
| 1837 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $70 | $100 | $215 | $475 |
| 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar | $70 | $100 | $225 | $475 |
| 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded) | $70 | $100 | $225 | $475 |
| 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded) (O) | N/A | N/A | $250,000 | $300,000 |
| 1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded) | $65 | $100 | $225 | $500 |
| 1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar (Reeded) (O) | $220 | $700 | $1,750 | $2,100 |
