Early Half Dollar Mintages

The mintages for early half dollars generally provide a good assessment of the rarity of each issue. In general, the coins which were struck in the smallest numbers are the most scarce or difficult to acquire issues for present day collectors.

 The lowest mintage early half dollars include the 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, which had only 23,464 pieces produced. With an even lower production, the 1796-1797 Draped Bust Half Dollars had a mintage of only 3,918 pieces across the two different years.

From the original mintage of each issue, no doubt even fewer actual survivors exist. Many examples have been melted over the years or otherwise lost to time. Mint state and uncirculated examples for any year are a rarity and greatly prized by collectors.

Flowing Hair Half Dollar Mintages

1794	23,464
1795	299,680

Draped Bust Half Dollar Mintages

Small Eagle Reverse
1796, 1797	3,918
Heraldic Eagle Reverse
1801	30,289
1802	29,890
1803	188,234
1805	211,722
1806	839,576
1807	301,076