Classic Head Half Cents

The story of the Classic Head half cent begins not in a design room but in the circumstances of a German engraver who crossed the Atlantic to escape the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars. John Reich paid for his passage to the United States through a period of indentured service, a common arrangement for skilled tradesmen who lacked the funds for ocean travel. His talents were recognized quickly after his arrival, and as early as 1801 Thomas Jefferson had recommended him for a position at the Philadelphia Mint. Chief Engraver Robert Scot, who had held that post since 1793, showed no interest in sharing responsibilities with a man he likely regarded as a rival. Reich waited.

1809–1836 Years struck

25 Date / variety entries

Philadelphia only Mints

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Key date Semi-key Variety Proof Regular

Date	Variety	Mintage	Price Guide Estimates							Classification	CK #
Date	Variety	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	EF	AU	MS	Classification	CK #
1809	—	1,154,572	$59	$76	$94	$100	$121	$225	$605	REGULAR	CK-36
1809	9 Over Inverted 9	—	$59	$67	$100	$121	$265	$605	$1,040	VARIETY	CK-37
1809	Circle in 0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-38
1810	—	215,000	$67	$86	$135	$245	$560	$875	$1,820	REGULAR	CK-39
1811	—	63,140	$325	$580	$1,370	$2,005	$5,075	$7,900	$25,580	KEY	CK-40
1825	—	63,000	$65	$73	$86	$100	$162	$265	$735	SEMI-KEY	CK-41
1826	—	234,000	$65	$73	$80	$94	$121	$245	$470	REGULAR	CK-42
1828	12 Stars	606,000	$65	$76	$86	$100	$183	$345	$905	REGULAR	CK-43
1828	13 Stars	606,000	$65	$73	$80	$94	$96	$205	$265	REGULAR	CK-44
1829	—	487,000	$65	$73	$80	$94	$114	$205	$325	REGULAR	CK-45
1831	—	2,200	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-46
1832	—	51,000	—	$65	$73	$80	$86	$126	$205	REGULAR	CK-50
1833	—	103,000	—	$65	$73	$80	$86	$126	$205	REGULAR	CK-52
1834	—	141,000	—	$65	$73	$80	$86	$126	$205	REGULAR	CK-54
1835	—	398,000	—	$65	$73	$80	$86	$126	$205	REGULAR	CK-56

1809 1809 9 Over Inverted 9 1809 Circle in 0 1810 1811 1825 1826 1828 12 Stars 1828 13 Stars 1829 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835

Date	Variety	Mintage	Price Guide Estimates							Classification	CK #
Date	Variety	Mintage	G (PR)	VG (PR)	F (PR)	VF (PR)	EF (PR)	AU (PR)	MS (PR)	Classification	CK #
1831	1st Restrike, Rev of 1836	2,200	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-47
1831	2nd Restrike, Rev Style of 1840	2,200	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-48
1831	Original	2,200	—	—	—	—	—	—	$89,985	KEY	CK-49
1832	—	51,000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-51
1833	—	103,000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-53
1834	—	141,000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-55
1835	—	398,000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-57
1836	First Restrike	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	KEY	CK-58
1836	Original	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$9,760	KEY	CK-59
1836	Reverse of 1840	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$15,890	KEY	CK-60

1831 1st Restrike, Rev of 1836 1831 2nd Restrike, Rev Style of 1840 1831 Original 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 First Restrike 1836 Original 1836 Reverse of 1840