Heritage Auctions has announced the publication of The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797, by Jon Amato, and edited by Jim Halperin and Mark Van Winkle, now available online by clicking on this link, or via email at CatalogOrders@HA.com.

"This book is the culmination of more than 10 years of research into the Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar series," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions, "one of the most coveted type coins in American numismatics and one about which, until now, remarkably little has been written."

Expertly researched and comprehensively documented, the book includes a profusely illustrated discourse of the four Overton varieties and one major die state of this important two-year design type. Additionally, it features a census of 270 Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar specimens. A full page is devoted to each coin, including an obverse and reverse image, a description of key identification markers, and the provenance for each.

"We believe this work will be the premier reference for 1796-1797 half dollars for years to come," said Rohan. "Institutions having an extensive numismatic library or coin cabinet will find it a valuable complement to their holdings, while catalogers charged with writing up specimens for auction now have an indispensable source of background and pedigree information."

The book will also be an important resource to coin dealers seeking to purchase one or more '96 or '97 half dollars for a client or for inventory, and to collectors who own, have owned, or desire to own one of these important coins.

Heritage has also set up special web page, HA.com/JonAmato, which will feature periodic updates of new discoveries in the census of '96 and '97 Draped Bust Half Dollars, as well as information about recent results for the coins at auction.

To order, see:www.ha.com/c/catalog-orders.zx?catalog=EarlyHalfDollars

To read the complete press release, see:The Draped Bust Half Dollars Of 1796-1797, By Jon Amato, Now Available From Heritage Auctions(www.ha.com/Heritage-Auctions-press-releases-and-news/the-draped
-bust-half-dollars-of-1796-1797-by-jon-amato-now-available-from-heritage-auctions.s?releaseId=2305)