Yes, that is right, half cents!! The United States made 1/2 cent coins from 1793 to 1857. All were made of 100% copper, and all were minted at Philidelphia. In 1793 they were 22mm diameter and weighed 6.74 grams. (by comparison, the nickel is 21.2mm and 5 grams, and the quarter is 24.3mm and 5.67 grams). They had a Liberty facing left and wearing a cap of sorts. only 35,334 were minted, and they are worth well over $1,000 even in low grades, up to $25,000 in mint shape. In 1794-1797 they had a Liberty facing right, and were 23.5mm dia. and 6.74 grams. none were made 1798-1799. In 1800-1808 they had a different style Liberty facing right, and were 23.5mm dia. and 5.44 grams. From 1809-1836 (not every year was made) they had a "Classic head" liberty facing left. they were 23.5mm dia. and 5.44 grams. From 1840-1857 they had a braided hair Liberty facing left. They were 23mm dia. and 5.44 grams. The 1840-1848 were struck in "proof" (special minting process) for collectors only, as the need for the 1/2 cent was fading. (These proof coins are expensive, all over $3,000.)From 1849-1857 they were again struck for circulation, then discontinued forever. ***some think the cent is now ready to be discontinued, what do you think?? Back to Index
The first one cent coins made by the United States were very large. They were anywhere from 26mm to 29mm. This is larger than our quarter (24.3mm) and slightly smaller than our half dollar (30.6mm) From 1793-1796 they weighed 13.4 grams of 100% copper. (this is heavier than our current half dollar at 11.34 grams!) During 1796 with a design change they were lightened up to 10.9 grams of 100% copper which they stayed until their end in 1857. There were many design changes during these years. In 1793 they started with a flowing hair liberty with a chain around the one cent on the reverse. They were changed to a wreath around the one cent during the year. The 1793 "chain" reverse coins are extremely expensive now ranging from about $2,800 in poor condition to over $60,000 in mint condition. Later in 1793 they were changed to a "liberty cap" design until 1796. From 1796 to 1807 they had a "draped bust" obverse. From 1808 to 1814 they had a "Classic head" design. From 1816 to 1836 they had a "Coronet head" obverse. From 1837 to 1857 they had a "Braided hair" obverse. Many of these later year cents are affordable for the collector ranging from $15.00 to $50.00 depending on condition in circulated grades. Imagine carrying around a dozen of these in your pockets along with quarters, nickels, etc.! that is why during 1856 they started to produce the small cent, but that is another story to come. There were many errors, double die, misplaced dates, varieties, etc. on these coins which can make for interesting collecting.
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Steel cents were minted during 1943 to conserve copper for use in WWII. They were made out of steel with a zinc coating. They were minted by all
3 US mints. Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark), and SanFrancisco (S mint mark). Many people
have the misconception that they are extremely valuable due to their one year mintage. This is not the case, however,
as they were minted in massive quantities.
Yes indeed, 2 cent coins! The United States made and issued 2 cent coins from 1864 to 1872 (a few proof only issues were made in 1873) They were 23 millimeters in diameter and 6.22 grams in weight. (the quarter is 24.3 mm and 6.25 grams) They were made of 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. The 2 cent coin was the first U.S. coin to carry the motto "In God We Trust" While you will never get one in circulation, and they were not to heavily produced they are relatively inexpensive in circulated grades. I suppose this is because of low collector demand for collections. Most collectors just have one as a "type coin" rather than a full date collection.
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More about other coins in the future, please visit often.
684,628,670 at Philadelphia
217,660,000 at Denver
191,550,000 at SanFrancisco
Values range from about 20 cents for a poor condition from any mint to perfect mint state condition prices of
$2.80 for Philadelphia, $5.00 for Denver, $8.50 for SanFrancisco.
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