The half cent was the smallest denomination of
United States coin ever minted. It was first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857. It was minted with five different designs.
History
First authorized by the
Coinage Act of 1792 on April 2, 1792,[1] the coin was produced in the United States from 1793 to 1857. The half-cent piece was made of 100%
copper and half of a cent, or one two-hundredth of a dollar (five
milles). It was slightly smaller than a modern
U.S. quarter with diameters 22 mm (1793), 23.5 mm (1794–1836), and 23 mm (1840–1857).[2] They were all produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
Liberty Cap, Facing right (large head designed by
Robert Scot, small head designed by Scot-John Gardner, engraved by Robert Scot) – issued 1794 to 1797
Draped Bust (obverse designed by
Gilbert Stuart and Robert Scot, reverse designed by Scot-John Gardner, engraved by Robert Scot) – issued 1800 to 1808
Classic Head (designed and engraved by Robert Scot or John Reich) – issued 1809 to 1836
There are no mint marks on any of the coins (all minted at the
Philadelphia Mint) and the edges are plain on most half cents. On the 1793, 1794, and some 1795 coins and a variety of the 1797 coin, it was lettered TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR and another 1797 variety had a gripped, or milled, edge.
Mintage figures
Liberty Cap, facing left
1793 – 35,334
Liberty Cap, facing right
1794 – 81,600
1795 – 139,690
1796 – 1,390
1797 – 127,840
Draped Bust
1800 – 202,908
1802 – 20,266
1803 – 92,000
1804 – 1,055,312
1805 – 814,464
1806 – 356,000
1807 – 476,000
1808 – 400,000
Classic Head (Shown at top right)
1809 – 1,154,572
1810 – 215,000
1811 – 63,140
1825 – 63,000
1826 – 234,000
1828 – 606,000
1829 – 487,000
1831 – 2,200
1832 – 51,000
1833 – 103,000
1834 – 141,000
1835 – 398,000
1836 – proof only, restrikes were made
1837 – No half cents were struck by the United States government; however, due to the need for small change, half-cent tokens were produced by private businessmen.
Braided Hair
1840 through 1849 were proof-only issues. There were restrikes made.