LAST ONE! Which design do you prefer? The Drapery or No Drapery Half Dollar?

BillJones

Last week I posted comparative pictures of the No Drapery and Drapery type half dimes, dimes and quarters. Here is the last of the series, the half dollar. Which to you think looks best? The 1839 No Drapery coin (only year of the type) is in an NGC AU-58 holder (I only grade it EF-45). The 1873 Drapery coin is in an NGC MS-64 holder.

Barndog

no drapery seems to be a much nicer design to my eye

NumisOxide

The Drapery

Leiana

I see the difference, and I understand why there is a distinction, but I really have no opinion one way or the other.

However, Gobrecht's original design was 'without drapery,' so I guess you could say I prefer that one.

-Amanda

tradedollarnut

Not much to be considered a completely different type. Aren't the reverses even more different?

JKSL

I think I would have to see them in person to have a real opinion, I can only kind of see the differences in a picture.
Cheers, Jessie L.

JRocco

I always thought that adding that little bit of drapery under her elbow was a case of someone(s) pulling rank and having to prove authority. That little bit of drapery is a distraction to the original lines on the design and lessen the effect of the field in that area of the coin.
The other changes in the design don't bother me one way or the other.

Cladiator

No Drapery.

Wasn't the drapery added to quell the complaints that the no drapery design was too risque?

lkenefic

I prefer Gobrechts' original design also. While it's not like painting a moustasche on the Mona Lisa, the intent of "improving" on someone elses work is evident..."I hate it when that happens"...Leo

MFH

I voted for the No Drapery design.

Although the No Drapery coin you showed is really a "partial drapery" example. The true No Drapery design seemed to be used on the Gobrecht Dollar coin , as pictured by TradeDollarNut.

I've always wanted a No Drapery Half for a type set...just never got around to locating one.

BigBuffaloGuy

I've always said the less clothes the better

123cents

I like the Drapery design.

JRocco

<< <i>I've always said the less clothes the better >>



Funny how I always thought the same, but after my 3 daughters came along--boy oh boy did my thoughts change a bit

keez

Drapery

BillJones

<< <i>Although the No Drapery coin you showed is really a "partial drapery" example. The true No Drapery design seemed to be used on the Gobrecht Dollar coin , as pictured by TradeDollarNut. >>



You are right. The coin in the picture is a "partial drapery" example although that die state (which is what it is and not a type or variety) is not listed in the Red Book. There is a "partial drapery" dime in the Red Book. All both coins are is the No Drapery design with a clash mark on Ms. Liberty's elbow that looks like a piece of a drapery.

When Robert Ball Hughes redid the Seated Liberty design, he made the fewest modifications to the half dollar. Therefore the differences so far as the drapery are concerned don’t amount to much. Therefore the “I can’t see much of a difference” option is a viable one. Oddly enough the No Drapery half dollar is the most expensive of the four No Drapery types. The only reason why I own one is because I wanted to get my type set as complete as possible in the days before there were slabs. I still have all of the classic types except the 1796-7 half dollar, but not all of the coins can be graded according to the rules of the TPGs.