Small | Rare U. S. Coins

Half Cent Coin History

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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.

1829 Classic Head Half Cent CHOICE BU BEAUTIFUL
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LARGE COLLECTION 59 COINS IN BOOK 1829 HALF CENT TO 1996 S A EAGLE NO RESERVE
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Hard Times Low 49 HTT 73 1837 Half Cent Token E Hulseman Red Book
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Original Fine details 1829 Classic head US half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE
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Nice original F VF RARE 1855 Braided hair US half cent WIN 1 others ship FREE
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Encased 1904 Half Cent St Louis Worlds Fair popular piece
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NICE 1803 DRAPED BUST HALF CENT NO RESERVE
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1810 US Half Cent Rotated Reverse
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7 Bids

1832 Half Cent
US $11.11
7 Bids

1806 Draped Bust Half Cent Free S H
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1828 HALF CENT 12 STARS NR
US $10.38
8 Bids

VERY NICE 1835 CLASSIC HEAD HALF CENT NO RESERVE
US $36.34
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1804 Draped Bust HALF CENT crosslet 4 no stems VF
US $26.78
10 Bids

1805 Draped Bust HALF CENT no stems VF XF
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1806 Draped Bust HALF CENT small 6 no stems VF
US $53.00
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1809 Classic Head HALF CENT circle inside 0 Fine condition
US $21.50
11 Bids

1828 Classic Head HALF CENT 12 stars F VF
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1833 Classic Head HALF CENT AU great detail
US $15.51
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1808 Half Cent C 3 VG 180 degrees rotated dies
US $27.00
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1851 Braided Hair HALF CENT AU reddish brown
US $31.00
15 Bids

1811 Half Cent Close Date C 2 NGC VG details environmental damage
US $29.88
8 Bids

1809 HALF CENT Very strong LIBERTY and DATE Beautiful old medium brown coin
US $22.50
12 Bids

1853 Braided Hair Half Cent CHOICE UNCIRCULATED
US $140.38
16 Bids

1849 Braided Hair Half Cent AU About Uncirculated
US $107.50
18 Bids

1855 HALF CENT VERY NICE COIN ATTRACTIVE BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY WORN 99
US $40.00
11 Bids

1855 Half Cent NiCE
US $26.89
9 Bids

1851 Half Cent NiCE
US $24.28
9 Bids

1832 Classic Head Half Cent Choice AU Uncirculated
US $56.38
14 Bids

1808 Half Cent
US $58.00
11 Bids

1850 Half Cent
US $24.40
9 Bids

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Small Cents

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The Small Cent has existed since 1856. The Flying Eagle was the first Small Cent, released in 1856. The Flying Eagle had a short production period, because it was reported as a difficult design to strike. to strike. The Flying Eagle coin was discontinued in 1858.

The Indian Head Small Cent was the next issue. Its design featured a closed laurel wreath on the reverse in 1859 and included the shield on the reverse above the open oak wreath between the years 1860 and 1909.

The Small Cent started to resemble the contemporary pennies during 1864 when the composition was changed to 95 percent copper, five percent tin and zinc and a weight reduction.

The Indian Head Small Cent design was a popular coin of the day, but in 1909 the design was replaced with a bust of Abraham Lincoln designed by Victor D. Brenner in honor of the centennial anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

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