Half Cents

[InfleXion]

I haven't seen or heard much about half cents but I find them very intriguing. I was wondering if people here collect them much? Are they usually pretty expensive? I would like to get my hands on some, but they seem to be scarce.

[galenrog]

"they seem to be scarce"????

Really??

Whodathunk that a US coin not minted since 1857 might be scarce.

Yep, I am in a rude mood today.

[InfleXion]

At least your politeness exceeds your helpfulness.

[NHsorter]

At least your politeness exceeds your helpfulness.

Good one. Check out eBay, but be sure to bring your check book. Maybe you will get lucky and a RC member will PM you with a deal. Lots of helpful collectors hoarders on here.

[galenrog]

I actually do have some half cents I got for cheap. Problem is they are not US. England, yes. US, no. My LCS has a few but is charging full retail. I find all kinds of stuff sorting coins, but no US half cents. Other than ebay, I think that garage sales might be a fair way to go. I have found quite a bit of salvageable gold and silver at yard and garage sales, to include coins. Nothing like a nap to improve the mood.

[ZenOps]

Why not go for the Quarter farthing, 1/16th of a penny.

English pennies were silver for 922 years, but are very hard to come by.

[InfleXion]

I think I've opened a can of worms here.. I'm just interested in the US half cents. I don't have enough lifetimes left for the full gambit I'll definitely start hitting up garage sales. Don't know why I haven't yet. Thx for the input

[Country]

I love them!!!

These fascinating pieces of COPPER have a grand history. All half cents are scarce. And, all were minted in Philadelphia. The are 100% COPPER alloy; no fillers here. Originally, the constituted the better part of a man's wage. However, by the 1830s they were mostly found in bags deep in the vaults of banks. The mint put them into wooden kegs, and there they stayed until many years later. By the 1850's, they hardly circulated at all. 1857 was the last year of these "little sisters". Imagine holding a COPPER coin in your hand that was minted by the US mint when George Washington was President.

Half cents from 1793, the first year, are exceedingly scarce. The 1796 is even scarcer, only 1390 minted, and sells for $10000+ in low conditions. Liberty caps, minted from 1793-1797 are hard to come by in any condition. Draped Bust, minted from 1800-1808 are more affordable, but can be costly in VF or better condition. The 1802 is the key here, with only 20266 minted. These early dated half cents had wide circulation which is the reason why so many of them are worn, and why conditions VF or better are scarce. In 1809-1811, and then 1825-1829, and then 1832-1835, the mint produced the Classic Head variety. The 1811 is the best date here. After 1811, the mint suspended production until 1825. Surprisingly, the 1811 and 1825 both have a mintage of 63000, but many of the 1811's seem to have been lost. In 1831 until 1857 proofs were made, either as presentation pieces, or upon demand by affluential collectors. (Of note, in the early days of the mint, from about 1820, proofs were made, and given at face value to interested parties that visited the mint in person.) In the years 1831, 1836, and 1840-1848, only proofs were made by the mint, total mintages around 10000 each year. In 1849 business strikes were resumed, the Braided Hair variety was produced until 1857. Most of the later dated half cents never circulated, and many are still available in MS condition.

[Rob72830]

I love them!!!

These fascinating pieces of COPPER have a grand history. All half cents are scarce. And, all were minted in Philadelphia. The are 100% COPPER alloy; no fillers here. Originally, the constituted the better part of a man's wage. However, by the 1830s they were mostly found in bags deep in the vaults of banks. The mint put them into wooden kegs, and there they stayed until many years later. By the 1850's, they hardly circulated at all. 1857 was the last year of these "little sisters". Imagine holding a COPPER coin in your hand that was minted by the US mint when George Washington was President.

Half cents from 1793, the first year, are exceedingly scarce. The 1796 is even scarcer, only 1390 minted, and sells for $10000+ in low conditions. Liberty caps, minted from 1793-1797 are hard to come by in any condition. Draped Bust, minted from 1800-1808 are more affordable, but can be costly in VF or better condition. The 1802 is the key here, with only 20266 minted. These early dated half cents had wide circulation which is the reason why so many of them are worn, and why conditions VF or better are scarce. In 1809-1811, and then 1825-1829, and then 1832-1835, the mint produced the Classic Head variety. The 1811 is the best date here. After 1811, the mint suspended production until 1825. Surprisingly, the 1811 and 1825 both have a mintage of 63000, but many of the 1811's seem to have been lost. In 1831 until 1857 proofs were made, either as presentation pieces, or upon demand by affluential collectors. (Of note, in the early days of the mint, from about 1820, proofs were made, and given at face value to interested parties that visited the mint in person.) In the years 1831, 1836, and 1840-1848, only proofs were made by the mint, total mintages around 10000 each year. In 1849 business strikes were resumed, the Braided Hair variety was produced until 1857. Most of the later dated half cents never circulated, and many are still available in MS condition.

Country, wow thanks for the history lesson. You have reminded me of why I began to collect coins way back when I was a kid. It is the history behind our coins, why the mint made them and who were the people that carried and spent those coins. Anyway, thanks for reminding me to put a half cent into my collection.

[InfleXion]

Dang now I really want one. Awesome post, Country. I would love to have one in MS condition, but it sounds like you only get what you pay for!

100% copper, now that's a REAL cent

[Diggin4copper]

I have found 4 or 5 with my metal detector over the years. Ill post a pic or two if I can find them easily..

[Diggin4copper]

By the way, I found a large cent in a bank bag of halfs a while back..

[John Reich]

I enjoy the half cents also. About 25 years ago I put together a set of the (8) issued for circulation Braided Hair Half Cents from 1849 to 1857 in VF/XF grades. You could get them for $50 or so each back then. They run $100+ each in those grades now. Other than the "common" 1851 (mintage 147,000), the rest of the group has mintages that run from 35k to 56k each. I always thought that that was a neat set to have--low mintage, obsolete denomination, and no "impossible" coins. I may have to start another set!

[InfleXion]

I always thought that that was a neat set to have--low mintage, obsolete denomination, and no "impossible" coins. I may have to start another set!

This does make quite the case for collecting these, but with the cost involved it's hard to justify not just getting bullion instead. I guess I will need to sharpen my bargain hunting skills. My uncle has a metal detector I will see if I can borrow when I see him next.