Half Cents (1793-1857)

Although it is the smallest denomination of US coin ever minted, the Half Cent was nearly the size of a modern day quarter. Made with 100% copper and weighing between 5 and 7 grams depending on the variety, each Half Cent coin was valued at 1/200th of a dollar. There were a total of five varieties produced between the years 1793 and 1857. They include: Liberty Cap facing left, Liberty Cap facing right, Draped Bust, Classic Head, and Braided Hair Half Cents.

Half Cents History

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued paper currency to help fund the war. This paper currency called “Continentals” quickly lost value after the war and resulted in all forms of paper currency losing their worth. For a young, newly independent nation, the lack of a national coinage system soon proved to be a critical problem. To alleviate this issue, the US Constitution provided Congress with the exclusive authority to coin money. Soon after came The Coinage Act of 1792, which established the United States Mint and also ordered the production of gold, silver, and copper coins of various denominations and sizes. Subsequently, the first Half Cent was minted in 1793, along with the first “Large Cent” coins. These copper coins were minted until 1857 before half cents were retired from circulation due to loss of value.

Half Cents Design Varieties

There were five total design varieties for the historic Half Cent.

The first Half Cent was minted in 1793 and was designed and engraved by either the US Mint’s first chief coiner Henry Voigt, or artist and designer Joseph Wright. It was called “Liberty Cap, Facing Left”. This coin features the bust of Lady Liberty, facing Left, as the name indicates. A Liberty cap, or “Phrygian cap”, rests on a pole she carries over her shoulder. The reverse shows a wreath with various inscriptions, including the denomination 1/200. A total of 35,334 Facing Left Half Cents were reportedly minted during that one year.

1793 Liberty Cap, Facing Left

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

Minted from 1794-1797, Liberty Cap, Facing Right Half Cents were designed by Robert Scot. On the obverse, Lady Liberty’s busts faces to the right with the Phrygian cap on the pole behind her. The reverse features a wreath with various inscriptions including the denomination.

1794-1797 Liberty Cap, Facing Right

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

In 1796, widespread dissatisfaction with the previous designs prompted Congress to decree a new design. Robert Scot and Gilbert Stuart transformed the disliked Lady Liberty illustration into a new, rather buxom Lady Liberty. It was called the “Draped Bust” Half Cent. Certain accounts claim the design was based on a socialite from Philadelphia named Ann Bingham. Robert Cot also designed the reverse, a wreath with various inscriptions, along with assistant engraver John Gardner. First appearing on large cents in 1796, the Draped Bust design did not appear on half cents until 1800.

1809-1836 Draped Bust

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

The “Classic Head” design by John Reich followed the Draped Bust in 1809. It was minted until 1836, except from 1812-1824, in 1827 and in 1830, as half cents were not produced during those years. This design depicts a more matronly Lady Liberty facing left, wearing a headband in her gently curled hair that reads “LIBERTY”. A modified wreath design graces the reverse, along with various inscriptions.

1809-1836 Classic Head

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

The final variation produced was the “Braided Hair” Half Cent, minted from 1840-1857. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this image shows a slimmer effigy of Lady Liberty, her hair up in a styled braid. She wears the “LIBERTY” headband seen on the Classic Head design. The Braided Hair Half Cent boasts some of the lowest mintages ever produced out of all United States coin types. This makes the Braided Hair design highly prized among Half Cent collectors.

Half Cents Value

Half Cents are incredibly appealing acquisitions for any coin collector. Depending on their condition and variation, Half Cent coins can be worth on average between $50 and $20,000. Some issues have been valued at over $100,000, although they are exceedingly rare. Here are some of the more valuable varieties of Half Cents prized for their low mintages, condition, variety,  or a combination of the three.

1793 Liberty Cap, Facing Left

Value: Between $6,000 and $40,600, depending on condition

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1796 Liberty Cap, Facing Right: “With Pole” and “No Pole”

Value (With Pole): Between $26,000 and $779,800, depending on condition

Value (No Pole): Between $37,000 and $950,000 depending on condition

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1797 Liberty Cap, Facing Right: Lettered Edge:

Value: Between $1,600 and $65,000, depending on condition

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1805 Draped Bust: Small 5 - With Stems

Value: Between $970 and $33,000, depending on condition

Images source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1805 Draped Bust: 8 Over 7 (Date Error)

Value: Between $160 and $521,000, depending on condition

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1831 Classic Head: Original

Value: Reportedly $127,898 in PR-63 Condition

Images source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

1852 Braided Hair: Original - Proof Only

Value: Reportedly $68,930 in PR-63 Condition

Images source: https://www.usacoinbook.com 

In order to determine the condition and grade of your Half Cent Coin accurately, it is strongly recommended to consult a numismatic professional. Because many of the surviving Half Cent coins are in relatively poor condition, it is not as much of a concern among collectors if they are not found in absolutely perfect condition. However, the condition is never disregarded by serious collectors and enthusiasts, so be sure to get a professional’s help when ascertaining the value of your Half Cent.