Rare U. S. Coins

The half cent was among the first coin strikes authorized by the U.S. Congress on April 2, 1792. Designed by Adam Eckfeldt and first released in 1793, it was minted at the Philadelphia Mint periodically until 1857. Its metal composition was of copper and weighed of 6.74 grams. It is the smallest-denomination coin ever minted in the United States. Its small buying power and large size 22mm, led to its unpopularity at that time in history. Production of the Half Cent discontinued production on February 21, 1857.

Though it may appear strange nowadays, the U.S. government once issued a coin worth less than one cent: the half cent. The copper Half Cent started in production on April 2, 1792. During its 64-years in circulation the Government stuck five basic design types of the tiny (0.93-in) coin. The Philadelphia Mint was the choice of location for striking the first batch of Half Cent coins. A mint Mark was not forged on the coins. The Half Cent's designers and engravers are amongst the most renowned in U.S. Mint history: Adam Eckfeldt, Robert Scot, John Gardner, Gilbert Stuart, John Reich and Christian Gobrecht. Designs for the Half Cent were also translated for use other coin denominations throughout the years. Below is a brief summary of the Half Cent coinage designs.

Liberty Cap

The 1793 Liberty Cap was the first half cent struck and as a result, is a highly coveted coin for today's coin collectors. The obverse design, is believed to be based on sketches made by Mint Director David Rittenhouse, although it is not known for certain who actually finalized the design and the dies for the first Half Cents strike. The obverse features a portrait of “Liberty” facing left. Her hair is flowing behind her, and ascending from the back of her head is a pole that supports a liberty cap. The reverse features a laurel wreath of leaves and berries which circle the value, “HALF CENT”. In 1794 the “Liberty Cap” half cent saw its first design change after only one year of circulation. This design, “Liberty” is facing to the right. While there were many different forms of this design type, the most famed change, other than the direction of “Liberty”, is that she now is wearing her liberty cap. There are varieties which do place the cap held upright by a pole. The reverse remained the same as the previous designs, with a wreath circling the value, “HALF CENT”.

Draped Burst

Starting in 1800, the Half Cents design changed with the introduction of the "Draped Bust" form. The obverse featured a larger version of “Liberty” facing right. The reverse was graced with the existing wreath already in use. The laurel wreath is a close copy of that seen on 1797 Cents. It displays 16 leaves on the left branch and 19 on the right. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surrounds the border and the value “HALF CENT” is centered on the coin with the fraction, 1/200 at the coin's lower edge.

Braided Hair

The last design variety in the “Half Cent” series is the “Braided Hair”. The designer, Christian Gobrecht, used the same Braided Hair conception he used on the cent of 1839. A bust of “Liberty”, facing left, graces the obverse. Her hair is braided into a bun. She wears a tiara inscribed with the word "liberty". The reverse side was a re-introduction of that used on the 1809 rendition. The denomination, “HALF CENT”, is bordered by a wreath, tied at the bottom with a bow, and circled by the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.

Here is a sample of popular U.S. half cent coins selling on eBay right now.

1809 CLASSIC HEAD HALF CENT US $16.50 9 Bids

1809 Half Cent Fine Details Uncommon US Coin Great for a collection US $43.56 22 Bids

1808 7 Half Cent WOW US $86.56 14 Bids

Red Brown 1855 Half Cent From Estate US $77.00 13 Bids

Nicely Detailed 1804 Half Cent From Estate US $42.00 12 Bids

1829 half cent US $56.85 7 Bids

Half Cent Hard Times Token HT 68 No Reserve US $66.00 12 Bids

1825 half cent classic head US $15.01 15 Bids

1834 Half Cent Nice Early Copper Piece Bold Even Strike and Natural Color US $33.77 22 Bids

Draped Bust Half Cent 1808 Very Fine Extra Fine No Reserve Nice US $102.50 15 Bids

1828 Classic Head Half Cent Free S H US $30.00 11 Bids

HALF CENT COIN 1804 DRAPPED BUST PLAIN 4 STEMS TO WREATH VF US $63.09 8 Bids

1828 Half Cent FREE S H US $82.00 12 Bids

1857 Canada LARGE CENT 1854 Half Cent 1857 Half Cent Set of 3 Old Canadian US $22.50 8 Bids

1835 Half cent choice brown toned US $180.00

1850 Braided Hair Half Cent CHECK SUPERSIZED PICS YOU GRADE US $92.00 12 Bids

1829 Classic Head Half Cent estate coin rare US $59.58 15 Bids

Nice original Fine 1803 Draped bust half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE US $53.37 11 Bids

Choice original Fine 1804 Draped bust half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE US $19.74 7 Bids

VF details 1806 small 6 stemless Draped bust half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE US $36.99 10 Bids

Nice original VG 1829 Classic head US half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE US $11.50 10 Bids

LOT OF 12 GUATEMALA 1932 MEDIO HALF CENTAVOS COINS US $3.00 7 Bids

1828 Classic Half Cent AU UNC details US $79.00 8 Bids

Hard Times Token 1837 HT73 Eagle Half Cent Pure Copper R2 XF HTT US $58.22 9 Bids

1805 ½ Half Cent American Copper Draped Liberty Bust Penny Coin US $29.02 9 Bids

1829 Half Cent PCGS MS 64 Brown Low Population 1 2C MS64BN ACO US $456.51 18 Bids

1804 Draped Bust Half Cent AG FREE SHIPPING US $22.61 7 Bids

1804 Draped Bust Half Cent No Stems Plain 4 VG FREE SHIPPING US $22.50 7 Bids

1806 ODD DATE Draped Bust Half Cent AG FREE SHIPPING US $22.50 8 Bids

1810 Classic Head Half Cent F US $37.01 7 Bids

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The Half Cent was one of the first coins authorized by the U.S. Congress on April 2, 1792. Adam Eckfeldt is acknowledged as the designer of the Half Cent. It was first issued in 1793, and minted at the Philadelphia Mint until 1857. Its metal composition, copper, with a weight of 6.74 grams. The Half Cent was smallest denomination coin ever minted in the United States. Its low buying power and large size, 22mm, slightly smaller than a quarter, contributed to its unpopularity at the time.

1809 CLASSIC HEAD HALF CENT US $16.50 9 Bids

1853 BRAIDED HAIR HALF CENT VERY GOOD CONDITION US $65.00

1835 Half Cent PCGS XF 40 Nice Type Coin US $189.99

1809 Half Cent Fine Details Uncommon US Coin Great for a collection US $43.56 22 Bids

1804 Bust Half Cent Beautiful Coin Wow US $74.95

1828 Half Cent Penny US $29.95 0 Bid

1808 7 Half Cent WOW US $86.56 14 Bids

14 low grade Half Cents US $439.00

Red Brown 1855 Half Cent From Estate US $77.00 13 Bids

Whitman Coin Album Half Cents 1793 1857 US $23.99

Nicely Detailed 1804 Half Cent From Estate US $42.00 12 Bids

1854 Braided Hair Half Cent US $150.00

LQQK 1851 BRAIDED HAIR HALF CENT UNC BROWN RAW NICE COIN WOW US $200.00

1829 half cent US $56.85 7 Bids

1809 1 2 Half Cent ANACS GD 4 Heavily Corroded Details US $65.00

1795 Liberty Cap Half Cent C 6a R2 Plain Edge GD US $650.00

1854 Coronet Half Cent PCGS AU50 razor sharp Nice Color US $134.10 4 Bids

1794 Half Cent PCGS F 12 C 2a Variety Nice Type Coin With Smooth Surfaces US $2,499.99

Half Cent Hard Times Token HT 68 No Reserve US $66.00 12 Bids

1851 BRAIDED HAIR HALF CENT COIN XF US $72.00 0 Bid

1804 half cent draped bust crosslet 4 stems US $13.49 3 Bids

1825 Half Cent GEM BU Scarce P13380 US $999.00

1803 C 2 R 4 Draped Bust Half Cent terminal die state US $295.00

1809 Classic Head Half Cent US $160.00

1825 half cent classic head US $15.01 15 Bids

1807 Draped Bust Half Cent Excellent VF XF Coin US $315.00

Constans 337 348 AE Half Centenionalis US $1.91 2 Bids

1803 Draped Bust Half Cent Circulated US $34.95

1808 Draped Bust Half Cent Circulated with Hole US $17.95

1834 Half Cent Nice Early Copper Piece Bold Even Strike and Natural Color US $33.77 22 Bids

Tips for safe buying of rare U.S. coins on eBay

Rare coin acquiring at eBay happens to be probably the most valuable clearing house for rare coin enthusiasts. Rare coin collectors are buying and selling rare coins with this massive internet site in unbelievable volumes every day.

A quick visit to eBay will show upwards of 400,000 U.S. coins available on any particular day on eBay. In a market of this scale, there is a great deal more than just common date coins. within eBay, you'll find tons of unique, rare valuable coins, with a greater overall variety than just about any place else, either online or offline.

Using eBay is fast, hassle-free, and also a highly effective tool for those keen collectors looking for a rare find. It is not unreasonable to say that the Internet, and specifically eBay, has in some measure fueled the rising popularity of coin collecting that we've seen over the last ten years.

Because so many of the U.S. coins listed on eBay are priced at 'below book' value mainly because the coins are offered without professional numismatic involvement. In other words, there is no 'middle man' involved in the sale listing process and pricing. This common situation is a ripe opportunity for collectors looking fare market deals.

Like with other categories of collectibles, there are some pitfalls to avoid. One good thing is, most eBay sellers and buyers really are trustworthy. If this were not so, eBay would have faded sometime ago, ?nstead of growing into a leader in online commerce.

Follow these basic measures, and you will evade possible pitfalls:

You should fully grasp the bidding process. It is advised you look at the eBay University Learning Center. At that website, you will find several well designed guides meant to show you how to efficiently buy and sell as an eBay member. It is advised to first focus on the tutorials and videos for effectively buying. The lessons are easy to follow. The important aspect to understand relates to the distinction between putting in a bid and Buy it Now, maximum bids and tips on how to place limits on the amount you want to spend in an auction offer. Bear in mind, bidding actions you make during an auction, making a best offer or utilizing the Buy it Now feature are legally binding, so make sure you get acquainted with the protocols before hitting that CONFIRM BID or BUY button.

Know the shipping and return policy of the seller. When reviewing an offer, skip to the bottom of the sale item description, to the section explaining about the seller's shipping terms, payment methods and returns policy. A clear understanding of the seller's shipping terms will help to avoid any potential disputes or disappointments. If you are involved in buying high ticket, antique or otherwise precious products, it is suggested to pay for some kind of insurance. This is a small price to pay for the satisfaction it will deliver.

Is shopping online a risk, in your mind? These issues are one of eBay's highest priorities. Ebay prides itself on providing and enhancing the user interface of its online marketplace platform to meet and exceed its users expectations in terms of safe and secure buying and selling.

Increasingly, online shoppers insist on a secure and safe buying platform. The combination of eBay's Seller Feedback system and Paypal's Buyer Protection Program deliver on these user demands.

Go through the Feedback Rating of the seller. The seller Feedback Rating system is an powerful feature of the eBay marketplace. If a seller appears to have more than a few negatives in their feedback, steer away from that seller. However, a seller with 10, 000 points and 97% plus positive feedback has many satisfied customers. The eBay learning center guides discuss in more detail the way to assess Sellers and make use of the Feedback system.

Don’t take the trouble considering a coin that do not provide a very clear photographic image. A seller with professional standards offering genuine U.S. coins of any value will make the effort involved to adequately photograph and describe the items to convince the buyer to engage in a BID or BUY NOW transaction.

High priced coins that carry Certification pose significantly less risk to the bidder. For instance, by far the most respected grading firms are PCGS and NGC, followed by ANACS and ICG.

Initially, eBay could be a little daunting, yet after you get accustomed with the buying system, you will definitely understand just how useful the eBay marketplace is for the coin hobbyist or serious coin enthusiast.

The above briefing supports a strategy to incorporate collectible U.S. coins into your investment strategy by way of eBay.

This list gives you an idea of the range of Half Cents found and bought during the past seven days.

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