PART I. Die Subtypes:
Mid-year Design Modifications:
1796 to 1799; number of stars on the dime, half dollar
and dollar.
Definition: The first 1797 dimes were minted with 16 stars on the obverse to symbolize the states that were in the union. U.S. Mint Director Elias Boudinot realized that the placing of a star for each state of the union would soon congest the obverse design on the coins. A design modification was made in the middle of the year to change back to 13 stars on the obverse, representing the original thirteen states.
However, the 1796 Draped Bust half dollar started out the year with 15 stars on the obverse and then switched to 16 stars, which then reverted back to 15 stars on the obverse die for the 1797 issue.
The Draped Bust dollar coin also underwent changes during this time period. The 1797 issue can be found with 10 stars on the left side and 6 stars on the right side of the obverse and also with 9 stars on the left side and 7 stars on the right side of the obverse. In 1798 the obverse die can be found with 15 stars and 13 stars. Both the 1799 over 1798 and the regular 1799 obverse dies can be found with both 15 and 13 stars.
Eventually all U. S. coins with the obverse / reverse stars were converted to the 13 stars on both. dies. However, even then there were exceptions. See Design Execution Errors in PART I.
The top image shows the obverse of the Drape Bust dime with 13 stars. The bottom image shows the 16 star obverse die.
Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.