Here is a quote from the Redbook: "...coinage of the gold eagle and the silver dollar was suspended by President Jefferson in 1804 and 1806 respectively. It is generally held that the silver dollar was discontinued in 1804, although the last coins minted for the period were dated 1803. With the lack of gold coins and silver dollars, the half dollar became America's desirable coin for large transactions and bank reserves. Until 1834, in fact, half dollars circulated very little as they were mainly transferred from bank to bank. This accounts for the relatively good supply of higher-condition half dollars of this period that is still available to collectors. A Senate committee of 1830 reported that United States silver coins were considered so much bullion and were accordingly "lost to the community as coins." There was only a negligible coinage of quarters, dimes and half dimes from 1794 to 1834. It has been estimated that there was less than one piece for each person in the country in the year 1830..."
