Design and Specifications of the Liberty Cap Half Cent

The Liberty Cap Half Cent was one of the first coins produced by the newly established United States Mint. It represented the smallest denomination in early American currency, playing a crucial role in everyday commerce during the nation’s formative years.
Weight 6.74 grams
Diameter 23.5 mm
Mint Marks None (all minted in Philadelphia)
Composition 100% Copper
Obverse Design Liberty facing left wearing a cap, designed by Joseph Wright
Reverse Design Wreath surrounding the denomination 'HALF CENT', designed by Joseph Wright
Years of Minting 1793-1797

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Liberty Cap Half Cents significantly impacts their value, with well-preserved examples commanding substantial premiums. Varieties such as the 1795 ‘Punctuated Date’ or the 1797 ‘With Cap’ can be particularly valuable. The extreme rarity of the 1796 issue makes it a key date for the series, with even low-grade examples being highly prized by collectors.
1793 35,334 minted; extremely rare and valuable in all conditions
1794 81,600 minted; rare, with the 'High Relief Head' variety being particularly scarce
1795 139,690 minted; less rare than previous years but still valuable
1796 1,390 minted; extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors
1797 127,840 minted; scarce, with the 'With Cap' variety being rarer than the 'No Cap' variety

Explore Liberty Cap Half Cent Values by Year

1793 1794 1795 1796 1797

Most Valuable Liberty Cap 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
1793 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $1,900.00 – $57,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $350.00 – $23,500.00 –
1794 Half Cent, BN (Regular Strike) $400.00 – $23,500.00 –
1796 Half Cent With Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $11,500.00 – $210,000.00 –
1797 Half Cent Plain Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $350.00 – $32,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent Plain Edge, No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $23,000.00 –
1796 Half Cent No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $35,000.00 – $250,000.00 –
1797 Half Cent 1 Above 1, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $23,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent, RB (Regular Strike) – $240,000.00 – $1,150,000.00
1794 Half Cent Low Relief Head, BN (Regular Strike) $775.00 – $32,500.00 –
1794 Half Cent High Relief Head, BN (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $27,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent LE, Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $350.00 – $27,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent Plain Edge, Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $31,500.00 –
1797 Half Cent Low Head, Plain Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $350.00 – $82,500.00 –
1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $875.00 – $77,500.00 –
1797 Half Cent Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $95,000.00 – $225,000.00 –
1793 Half Cent Cohen 1, BN (Regular Strike) $3,200.00 – $58,500.00 –
1793 Half Cent Cohen 2, BN (Regular Strike) $1,825.00 – $60,000.00 –
1793 Half Cent Cohen 3, BN (Regular Strike) $1,825.00 – $58,500.00 –
1793 Half Cent Cohen 4, BN (Regular Strike) $1,950.00 – $67,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent Plain Edge, No Pole, RB (Regular Strike) – $485,000.00
1795 Half Cent C-1 Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $350.00 – $25,000.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-2b PE Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $400.00 – $32,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-3 PE Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $45,000.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-4 PE Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $225.00 – $34,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-2a LE Punctuated Date, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $27,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-5a, Plain Edge, No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $23,500.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-5b Pl Edge No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $1,750.00 – $30,000.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-5b Pl Edge No Pole, RB (Regular Strike) – $360,000.00
1795 Half Cent C-6a Pl Edge No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $625.00 – $22,000.00 –
1795 Half Cent C-6b Pl Edge No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $1,600.00 – $42,500.00 –
1796 Half Cent No Pole, RB (Regular Strike) – $975,000.00
1796 Half Cent C-2 With Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $10,000.00 – $210,000.00 –
1796 Half Cent C-2 With Pole, RB (Regular Strike) – $350,000.00 – $650,000.00
1796 Half Cent C-1, No Pole, BN (Regular Strike) $23,500.00 – $250,000.00 –
1796 Half Cent C-1 No Pole, RB (Regular Strike) – $850,000.00
1797 Half Cent C-3b LE Low Head, BN (Regular Strike) $875.00 – $100,000.00 –
1797 Half Cent C-2 PE Centered Head, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $27,500.00 –
1797 Half Cent C-3c Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $85,000.00 – $120,000.00 –
1797 Half Cent C-1, 1 Above 1, BN (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $20,000.00 –
1797 Half Cent C-1, 1 Above 1, RB (Regular Strike) – $185,000.00 – $400,000.00
1794 Half Cent C-1a Lg Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $825.00 – $36,050.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-1b Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $15,000.00 – $50,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-2a Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $815.00 – $36,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-2b Lg Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $1,350.00 – $75,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-3a Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $1,700.00 – $14,500.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-3b Lg Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $65,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-4a Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $800.00 – $34,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-4b Lg Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $10,500.00 – $65,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-5a Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $1,900.00 – $22,500.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-6a Sm Edge Letters, BN (Regular Strike) $900.00 – $80,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-7 High Relief Head, BN (Regular Strike) $6,000.00 – $50,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-7 High Relief Head, RB (Regular Strike) – $1,100,000.00
1794 Half Cent C-8 High Relief Head, BN (Regular Strike) $3,650.00 – $13,000.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-9 High Relief Head, BN (Regular Strike) $3,300.00 – $17,500.00 –
1794 Half Cent C-9 High Relief Head, RB (Regular Strike) – $250,000.00 – $525,000.00
1797 Half Cent C-3a PE Low Head, BN (Regular Strike) $1,100.00 – $90,000.00 –

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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.

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