The Draped Bust Half Dollar was made only two years after the Flowing Hair type. The second Mint Director, Henry William DeSaussure wanted to improve the country’s coinage, and he ordered the change in design. However, he resigned after five months as Director. His successor, Elias Boudinot was appointed when the new half dollars were minted. The Draped Bust motif was first used on the silver dollar in 1795 and then on the other silver coinage in 1796. John Eckstein used a Gilbert Stuart portrait for his model of Liberty, and Robert Scot made the dies from Eckstein’s impression. Stuart apparently did not like the result and disassociated himself from the work. The 1796 and 1797 half dollars are the rarest circulation strike coins made by the United States Mint. Not many were made, and only a few were saved. Most found today are in circulated condition.

The Draped Bust motif, last used in 1797 for the half dollar, reappeared after a three-year gap. It was used until 1807 with 13 stars, seven on the left and six on the right. In 1801 the Heraldic or Large Eagle reverse was introduced. The design was adapted from The Great Seal of the United States. In an accident of design or statement of militancy, the traditional location of arrows and olive branch were switched, perhaps as a warning to France andother European countries concerning the sovereignty of the U.S.