1805 50C Draped Bust Half Dollar PCGS Genuine Cleaned VF Detail

Key Features:

• Obverse:
  • Features a right-facing bust of Liberty draped in flowing fabric, with her hair tied back. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed along the top, with stars encircling Liberty and the year “1805” at the bottom.
• Reverse:
  • Displays a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest, holding arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing strength and peace. Above the eagle’s head is a cluster of stars and clouds, with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surrounding the design. Notably, there is no denomination indicated on the reverse of Draped Bust Half Dollars, which is typical of early American coinage.
• Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper.
• Diameter: 32.5 mm.
• Weight: 13.48 grams.

Grade:

• PCGS Genuine – Cleaned (VF Detail):
  • This coin has been certified as genuine by PCGS, meaning it is an authentic 1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar, but it has been cleaned at some point, which prevents it from receiving a numeric grade.
  • VF Detail (Very Fine) suggests that the coin shows noticeable wear, particularly on the high points of the design such as Liberty’s hair and the eagle’s feathers. However, key details in the design are still discernible, and much of the main design elements remain intact.
  • The cleaning lowers the coin’s value compared to an uncleaned example because it can diminish the natural toning and surface quality. Cleaned coins often lose some of their original charm and patina, which are highly valued in early American coinage.

Historical Context:

• The Draped Bust Half Dollar was part of the second design type used for U.S. coinage, following the Flowing Hair design. This design was created by Gilbert Stuart, a famous portrait artist, and engraved by U.S. Mint engraver Robert Scot.
• In 1805, the U.S. Mint was still a fledgling institution, and coins from this period are prized for their historical value as much as their numismatic value. These early half dollars were produced in relatively small quantities compared to later issues, adding to their rarity.
• The Draped Bust design was used from 1796 to 1807, making the 1805 edition part of a short and highly collectible series.

Mintage & Scarcity:

• Mintage: The 1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar had a relatively low mintage of 211,722 coins. While not the lowest mintage in the Draped Bust Half Dollar series, it is still considered scarce compared to later half dollars.
• Early U.S. coins are often difficult to find in higher grades because they were widely circulated during a time when coinage was scarce, and silver half dollars played a significant role in everyday commerce.

Market Appeal:

• Cleaned Condition: While the cleaning negatively impacts the value of the coin, the fact that it is a genuine 1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar with VF Details still makes it an attractive collectible. Many collectors of early American coinage are willing to accept imperfections like cleaning in order to own a genuine example from this important period.
• VF Detail coins can still retain a great deal of their original design, and while they may not exhibit the natural toning and patina of an uncleaned coin, they are often more affordable, making them accessible to collectors with a smaller budget.