The Half Cent...A History
The Half Cent was first authorized for mintage by
the Coinage Act of 1792, and was produced from 1793-1857. Made out of 100% pure
copper, and was valued at two-hundredths of a dollar. Its large size put it at
just smaller than the modern quarter with diameters ranging from 22 to 23.5 mm.
The first design is called the Liberty cap, it was
minded from 1793-1797, but during that time the observe bust switched from
left-facing to right-facing. In 1797, the planchets became too think for the
use of edge lettering, thus resulting in coins from 1795-1797 having no edge
lettering. In 1800 the obverse switched
to the Draped Bust and was minted from (1800-1807). Then came the Classic head
from 1809-1836, which depicted Lady Liberty with long, curly hair, while the
reverse depicts the coins denomination and value inside a wreath. The final
design was the Braided Hair design, minted until the coins final year, 1857. It
featured a slimmer, more youthful looking Lady Liberty, along with the addition
of large berries (restrikes have small berries) on the wreath on the reverse of
the coin.
Above is a Bust Half Cent, which was minted from 1800-1807. The coin you will receive will be in circulated conidition, and will be picked from between the years listed above
