Liberty Cap Half Cents

When the United States Mint opened its doors in Philadelphia in 1792, the young republic faced a practical problem that had little to do with politics or diplomacy. Ordinary commerce ground along on a patchwork of foreign coins, worn-down state-issued coppers, and private tokens, none of which fit neatly together. Spanish milled dollars, reales, and British halfpennies circulated alongside whatever a merchant could get his hands on. The country did not yet have a functioning national coinage, and for transactions involving small sums, that gap was felt every day at the market stall and the tavern counter.

1793–1797 Years struck

17 Date / variety entries

Philadelphia Mints

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Key date Semi-key Variety Regular

Date	Variety	Mintage	Price Guide Estimates							Classification	CK #
Date	Variety	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	EF	AU	MS	Classification	CK #
1793	—	35,334	$2,760	$4,065	$6,510	$8,935	$15,985	$25,225	—	KEY	CK-1
1794	—	81,600	$450	$770	$1,410	$2,005	$4,765	$8,935	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-2
1794	High Relief Head	81,600	$470	$790	$1,370	$2,195	$5,075	$9,670	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-3
1794	Low Relief Head	81,600	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-4
1795	Lettered Edge	139,690	$470	$670	$1,220	$1,885	$4,440	$64,020	—	REGULAR	CK-5
1795	Lettered Edge, No Pole	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-6
1795	Lettered Edge, Punctuated Date	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-7
1795	Plain Edge	139,690	$400	$535	$990	$1,620	$3,210	$6,065	—	REGULAR	CK-8
1795	Plain Edge, No Pole	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-9
1795	Plain Edge, Punctuated Date	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-10
1796	No Pole	1,390	$27,835	$35,335	$85,405	$122,040	$165,365	$234,900	—	KEY	CK-11
1796	With Pole	1,390	$15,985	$20,095	$30,420	$40,680	$56,530	$77,235	—	KEY	CK-12
1797	1 Above 1	—	$400	$515	$940	$1,620	$3,210	$5,075	—	VARIETY	CK-13
1797	Gripped Edge	—	$71,190	$95,795	$122,040	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-14
1797	Lettered Edge	127,840	$1,135	$2,005	$4,765	$12,150	$40,680	$64,020	—	REGULAR	CK-15
1797	Low Head, Plain Edge	—	$400	$605	$990	$2,760	$4,765	$6,890	—	VARIETY	CK-16
1797	Plain Edge	127,840	$450	$790	$1,620	$3,210	$11,330	—	—	REGULAR	CK-17

1793 1794 1794 High Relief Head 1794 Low Relief Head 1795 Lettered Edge 1795 Lettered Edge, No Pole 1795 Lettered Edge, Punctuated Date 1795 Plain Edge 1795 Plain Edge, No Pole 1795 Plain Edge, Punctuated Date 1796 No Pole 1796 With Pole 1797 1 Above 1 1797 Gripped Edge 1797 Lettered Edge 1797 Low Head, Plain Edge 1797 Plain Edge