1793 Liberty Cap Facing Left

COIN NAME: 1793 Liberty Cap Facing Left
DESIGNED BY: Adam Eckfeldt
ISSUE DATE: 1793
COMPOSITION: Copper
DIAMETER: 21.2 to 24.6 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains
EDGE: Lettered TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR
BUS MINT: 35,334
PROOF MINT: None

With only a few hundred coins currently in existence, this coin is a rare find in any condition. While most will be found with extensive wear, an occasional uncirculated coin will find its way to the auction block. Adding to the intrigue and value of such a rare find is the history of its design. It is said the reverse die was produced by Adam Eckfeldt and Robert Birch. The obverse, however, was cut solely by Robert Birch.

The value of the coin will be determined by the remaining visible characteristics of its design. The obverse of the design portrays Miss Liberty, with features engraved in detail, facing to the viewer's left, with a liberty cap on a pole behind her head. The word LIBERTY is above, and the date 1793 is below. A circle of beads is around the outer edge. The reverse consists of a wreath with leaves and berries, open at the top, and tied with a bow below. The denomination HALF CENTS is at the center, while UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the fraction 1/200 comprises the border. A circle of beads is at the rim.

1794-1797 Liberty Cap Facing Right

COIN NAME: 1794-1797 Liberty Cap Facing Right
DESIGNED BY: Robert Scott
ISSUE DATE: 1794-1797
COMPOSITION: Copper
DIAMETER: 23.5 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains (thick planchet) 84 grains (thin planchet)
EDGE: Lettered TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR, some plain
BUS MINT: 359,529
PROOF MINT: None

Generally, the increased population of these coins, over their 1793 predecessor, have helped preserve the average condition of the surviving numbers. Pieces dated 1794 are known to exist in grades Extremely Fine or better but remain rare finds. Pieces dated 1795 can be found in Extremely Fine, About Uncirculated, or even Uncirculated grade. Although an Uncirculated Specimen may take years to find, they do exist and when found become a prize worthy of note in the finest collection.

Half cents of the 1794-1797 years depict on the obverse Miss Liberty facing to the viewer's right, with LIBERTY above and the date below. Behind her flowing hair is a liberty cap on a pole. The edge is a series of denticles or indentations; the beaded border of 1793 had been discontinued. The reverse is similar in concept to 1793 except for the denticulated border. Although issues of 1794-1797 are commonly grouped together as a single type, in actuality half cents of 1794 have a larger head of Miss Liberty, while those of 1795 through 1797 have a delicate cameo-like head in a more open field area.

1800-1808 Draped Bust

COIN NAME: 1800-1808 Draped Bust
DESIGNED BY: Robert Scott
ISSUE DATE: 1800-1808
COMPOSITION: Copper
DIAMETER: 23.5 mm
WEIGHT: 84 grains
EDGE: Plain
BUS MINT: 3l6,950
PROOF MINT: None

It's hard to imagine why coinage of half cents was suspended during the years 1798-1799. It's even harder to imagine a single Half Cent had any power to purchase or the need to become change for a Cent. The Draped Bust obverse was first used on silver dollars beginning in 1795 and on certain other early denominations beginning in 1796. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing right, with flowing hair and a ribbon behind her head, her plunging neckline covered with drapery. LIBERTY is above, and the date is below. The reverse comprises an open wreath enclosing HALF CENT, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and 1/200 around the border. The edges of these and all later half cents are plain.

Produced by the millions, half cents of the 1800-1808 years are easy to find today, particularly in the normally encountered grades of Good through Very Fine. Extremely Fine coins are scarce, though not rare, and even AU pieces can be acquired without difficulty. Uncirculated coins are quite elusive and usually are of the dates 1804 or 1806, particularly the latter, for small hoards of these dates turned up many years ago. The planchet quality was considerably improved from the half cents of an earlier era, with the result that without difficulty you could acquire a coin with smooth surfaces.

1809-1836 Classic Head

COIN NAME: 1809-1836 Classic Head
DESIGNED BY: John Reich
ISSUE DATE: 1809-1836
COMPOSITION: Copper
DIAMETER: 23.5 mm
WEIGHT: 84 grains
EDGE: Plain
BUS MINT: 3,635,712
PROOF MINT: 100 to 200, mostly restrikes (approximate

The so-called Classic Head design by John Reich made its appearance on half cents in 1809. Its design was so profoundly beautiful a somewhat related motif was used again later on the 2 1/2 and $5 gold coins of 1834. Miss Liberty faces left. Her hair is in curls, close to her head, and is secured by a band inscribed LIBERTY. Seven stars are to the left and six to the right. The date is below. The reverse consists of a continuous wreath tied at the bottom with a ribbon, enclosing HALF CENT at the center, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border.

Specimens of this type are readily available in all grades from Good through Uncirculated, although, interestingly enough, specimens in Good to Very Good grade are scarcer than those in Fine through Extremely Fine. At the time of issue, half cents did not circulate extensively, so they were not subject to as much wear as were contemporary large cents, for example.

Uncirculated coins can be obtained of a number of dates within this span, but the most often seen are those of 1828, 1833, and 1835. Such pieces, if they have original mint red, are apt to have flecks or spots as a result of dampness.

1840-1857 Braided Hair

COIN NAME: 1840-1857 Braided Hair
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1840-1857
COMPOSITION: Copper
DIAMETER: 23 mm
WEIGHT: 84 grains
BUS MINT: 544,510
PROOF MINT: Fewer than 1,500 combined originals and restrikes

Given the relatively few number of these coins minted, as compared to coins of larger denomination, it's hard to imagine the Half Cent still being a viable coin in the channels of commerce during this period. Perhaps this explains why coins for circulation were not struck until the year 1849. Coins struck prior to that date and dated 1840 - 1848 were limited to Proofs with the collector specifically in mind. The Treasury had vast stores of undistributed earlier coins upon which it could draw.

1840 featured a brand new design for this coin. Perhaps Miss Liberty became more athletic as her face trimmed and Braided Hair wrapped in a bun became the new hairstyle. The obverse design depicts this trimmer head facing left, with two beaded cords tied around her hair to hold it in the bun. The word LIBERTY appears on a diadem or coronet. Tresses hang downward to her neck. Surrounding the obverse border are 13 stars and the date. The reverse design is somewhat similar to the style used on half cents of the 1809-1836 era and consists of a continuous wreath tied with a ribbon below, enclosing HALF CENT, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border, although the details are slightly different from those used earlier.

Half cents were produced in quantities for circulation from 1849 through 1857, with the exception of 1852. In the latter year the denomination was discontinued. AS one would expect, half cents did not circulate extensively, particularly during the era of the Braided Hair design. Specimens surviving today are apt to be in higher grades from Fine through Very Fine. Extremely Fine and AU coins are encountered with some frequency.