Design and Specifications of the Classic Head Half Cent

The Classic Head Half Cent was designed by John Reich and represented a shift from the earlier Draped Bust design. It was the last series of half cents produced before the denomination was discontinued in 1857. Despite its long run, production was sporadic due to low demand and copper shortages.
Weight 5.44 grams
Diameter 23.5 mm
Mint Marks No mint marks (all minted in Philadelphia)
Composition 100% Copper
Obverse Design Left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a headband inscribed with 'LIBERTY'
Reverse Design Wreath surrounding the words 'HALF CENT' and the denomination as '1/200'
Years of Minting 1809-1836

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Classic Head Half Cents significantly impacts their value, with uncirculated specimens commanding substantial premiums. Some years, like 1811 and 1831, are particularly rare in high grades. Errors such as off-center strikes or die cracks can increase rarity and value. The 1836 proof issue is especially prized by collectors due to its extreme rarity.
1811 63,140 minted; scarce and highly sought after
1831 2,200 minted; extremely rare and valuable
1836 Proof only; extremely rare with only a handful known to exist

Explore Classic Head Half Cent Values by Year

1809 1810 1811 1825 1826 1828 1829 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836

Most Valuable Classic Head Half Cent

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1809 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $850.00 –
1828 Half Cent 13 Stars, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $400.00 –
1835 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $400.00 –
1832 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $400.00 –
1834 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $400.00 –
1825 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $1,125.00 –
1826 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $650.00 –
1833 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $400.00 –
1828 Half Cent 12 Stars, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $1,300.00 –
1829 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $510.00 –
1810 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $2,500.00 –
1811 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $160.00 – $37,500.00 –
1809 Half Cent Circle in 0, BN (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $5,850.00 –
1835 Half Cent, BN (Proof) – $4,800.00 – $37,500.00
1832 Half Cent, BN (Proof) – $36,000.00 – $50,000.00
1833 Half Cent, BN (Proof) $3,850.00 – $4,000.00 –
1829 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $47,500.00
1834 Half Cent, BN (Proof) – $4,800.00 – $22,500.00
1811 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $35,000.00 –
1825 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $1,050.00 –
1809/6 Half Cent 9 over Inverted 9, BN (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $1,250.00 –
1825 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $3,750.00 – $13,000.00
1826 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $750.00 – $27,500.00
1811 Half Cent Mickley Restrike, BN (Regular Strike) – $13,500.00 – $35,000.00
1831 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $6,000.00 – $75,000.00 –
1831 Half Cent Original, BN (Proof) $36,000.00 – $58,500.00 –
1831 Half Cent 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836, BN (Proof) – $7,250.00 – $47,500.00
1831 Half Cent 2nd Res, Rev Style of 1840, BN (Proof) – $10,000.00 – $60,000.00
1836 Half Cent Original, BN (Proof) $3,500.00 – $4,350.00 –
1836 Half Cent 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836, BN (Proof) – $8,000.00 – $37,500.00
1836 Half Cent Second Restrike Rev of 1840 Design, BN (Proof) – $15,000.00 – $22,500.00
1809 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $1,850.00 – $100,000.00
1809/6 Half Cent 9 over inverted 9, RB (Regular Strike) – $30,000.00 – $45,000.00
1809 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $4,500.00 – $32,500.00 –
1809 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $6,250.00 –
1809 Half Cent Cohen 2, RB (Regular Strike) – $15,000.00
1809 Half Cent Cohen 3, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $875.00 –
1809 Half Cent Cohen 3, RB (Regular Strike) – $23,500.00
1809 Half Cent Cohen 6, BN (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $875.00 –
1809/6 Half Cent C-5 9 over inverted 9, BN (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $1,300.00 –
1809/6 Half Cent C-5 9 over inverted 9, RB (Regular Strike) – $27,000.00
1809 Half Cent C-4 Circle in 0, BN (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $6,000.00 –
1810 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $8,500.00 – $37,500.00
1810 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $2,350.00 –
1811 Half Cent Mickley Restrike, RB (Regular Strike) – $30,000.00 – $47,500.00
1811 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $32,500.00 –
1825 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $1,400.00 –
1825 Half Cent Cohen 2, RB (Regular Strike) – $4,500.00 – $12,750.00
1826 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $600.00 –
1826 Half Cent Cohen 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $650.00 – $25,000.00
1826 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $875.00 –
1828 Half Cent 13 Stars, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $6,000.00
1828 Half Cent 13 Stars, RD (Regular Strike) – $600.00 – $27,500.00
1828 Half Cent 12 Stars, RB (Regular Strike) – $4,000.00 – $45,000.00
1828 Half Cent Cohen 1, 13 Stars, BN (Regular Strike) $180.00 – $850.00 –
1828 Half Cent Cohen 1, 13 Stars, RB (Regular Strike) – $10,000.00
1828 Half Cent Cohen 3, 13 Stars, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $475.00 –
1828 Half Cent Cohen 3, 13 Stars, RB (Regular Strike) – $650.00 – $6,000.00
1828 Half Cent Cohen 3, 13 Stars, RD (Regular Strike) – $3,750.00 – $25,000.00
1828 Half Cent Cohen 2, 12 Stars, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,375.00 –
1828 Half Cent 12 Stars Cohen 2, RB (Regular Strike) – $17,500.00 – $46,500.00
1829 Half Cent, RD (Regular Strike) – $45,000.00
1829 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $500.00 –
1829 Half Cent Cohen 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $53,500.00
1831 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $50,000.00 – $75,000.00 –
1832 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $22,500.00
1832 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $160.00 – $475.00 –
1832 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $525.00 –
1832 Half Cent Cohen 2, RB (Regular Strike) – $11,500.00 – $21,500.00
1832 Half Cent Cohen 3, BN (Regular Strike) $180.00 – $500.00 –
1833 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $14,000.00
1833 Half Cent, RD (Regular Strike) – $600.00 – $13,500.00
1833 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $465.00 –
1833 Half Cent Cohen 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $4,250.00 – $13,500.00
1834 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $12,750.00
1834 Half Cent, RD (Regular Strike) – $4,000.00 – $23,500.00
1834 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) – $450.00 – $8,500.00
1834 Half Cent Cohen 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $500.00 – $8,750.00
1835 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $550.00 – $12,250.00
1835 Half Cent, RD (Regular Strike) – $800.00 – $20,000.00
1835 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $115.00 – $425.00 –
1835 Half Cent Cohen 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $500.00 – $8,250.00
1835 Half Cent Cohen 1, RD (Regular Strike) – $1,900.00 – $20,000.00
1835 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $425.00 –
1835 Half Cent Cohen 2, RB (Regular Strike) – $825.00 – $8,250.00
1835 Half Cent Cohen 2, RD (Regular Strike) – $20,000.00
1831 Half Cent Original, RB (Proof) – $87,500.00
1831 Half Cent 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836, RB (Proof) – $14,000.00 – $75,000.00
1831 Half Cent 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836, RD (Proof) – $23,500.00 – $72,500.00
1831 Half Cent 2nd Res, Rev Style of 1840, RB (Proof) – $25,000.00 – $125,000.00
1832 Half Cent, RB (Proof) – $47,500.00 – $325,000.00
1833 Half Cent, RB (Proof) – $8,500.00 – $52,500.00
1833 Half Cent, RD (Proof) – $102,500.00
1834 Half Cent, RB (Proof) – $6,000.00 – $52,500.00
1834 Half Cent, RD (Proof) – $115,000.00
1835 Half Cent, RB (Proof) – $6,500.00 – $42,500.00
1835 Half Cent, RD (Proof) – $25,000.00
1836 Half Cent Original, RB (Proof) – $10,000.00 – $57,500.00
1836 Half Cent Original, RD (Proof) – $150,000.00
1836 Half Cent 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836, RB (Proof) – $42,500.00 – $65,000.00
1836 Half Cent Second Restrike Rev of 1840 Design, RB (Proof) – $23,500.00 – $52,500.00

Sharing is caring!

Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *