United States of America 1796 N/A Draped Bust $2.5 $2.50

Coin / United States of America / 1796 / N/A / Draped Bust $2.5 / $2.50 (Two and a Half Dollars)

The coin in question is a 1796 Draped Bust $2.50 gold piece, a notable and rare item in American numismatics. This coin represents a significant era in U.S. history and is part of the early Federal coinage series, renowned for its classic design and artistic merit. The Draped Bust design features a depiction of Liberty with flowing hair, symbolizing freedom and enlightenment, which was a revolutionary concept at the time. The coin is struck in gold, giving it both intrinsic and historical value. This particular issue from 1796 is one of the earlier examples of U.S. gold coinage, produced during a period characterized by the establishment of the U.S. Mint. With a limited mintage of only 963 pieces, the 1796 Draped Bust $2.50 is an extremely scarce collectible, highly sought after by numismatists and investors alike. The absence of mint marks indicates that it was likely produced at the Philadelphia Mint, which was the only mint operating at the time. Today, coins such as this, despite lacking precise measurements and specifications typically used to authenticate their condition—such as weight or diameter—are invaluable due to their historical importance, rarity, and the legacy they represent in early American coinage. As a collectible, the 1796 Draped Bust $2.50 is not just a currency but a piece of history that embodies the early steps of the United States as a nation.