Classic Head half cents combine a young Liberty portrait with intermittent production, date varieties, and late original and restrike proof records.

This guide covers Philadelphia issues dated 1809–1836, preserving production gaps and separating regular strikes, originals, and cataloged restrikes.

Core specifications

Issue period
1809–1836
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
3,517,912
Composition
100% Copper
Diameter
23.5 mm
Weight
5.44 g

A denomination coined only when demand returned

The Classic Head design replaced Draped Bust in 1809, but the half cent was not produced continuously. Long gaps reveal the limited commercial demand for the denomination.

Later original proofs and restrikes belong to a different production context from worn small change, even when their dates sit inside the same catalog.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left wearing a fillet inscribed LIBERTY, with stars around the field and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A continuous wreath encloses HALF CENT, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the outer field.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1809, 1810, 1811, 1825, 1826, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836; 3,517,912. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A type coin or short run of regular strikes is approachable; 1811, 1831, and proof or restrike records require a defined specialist scope.

  • 1809 P - 9 Over Inverted 9 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1811 P - All Varieties — 63,140. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1828 P - 12 Stars — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1831 P - Original — 2,200. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1836 P - Original - Proof Only — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1809 P Classic Head Half Cent - All Varieties1809 P Classic Head Half Cent - 9 Over Inverted 91809 P Classic Head Half Cent - Normal Date1809 P Classic Head Half Cent - Small circle Inside 01810 P Classic Head Half Cent1811 P Classic Head Half Cent - All Varieties1811 P Classic Head Half Cent - Close Date1811 P Classic Head Half Cent - Reverse of 1802 - Unofficial Restrike1811 P Classic Head Half Cent - Wide Date1825 P Classic Head Half Cent1826 P Classic Head Half Cent1828 P Classic Head Half Cent - All Varieties1828 P Classic Head Half Cent - 12 Stars1828 P Classic Head Half Cent - 13 Stars1829 P Classic Head Half Cent1831 P Classic Head Half Cent - Original1831 P Classic Head Half Cent - Restrike - Large Berries - Reverse of 18361831 P Classic Head Half Cent - Restrike - Small Berries - Reverse of 1840-18571832 P Classic Head Half Cent1833 P Classic Head Half Cent1834 P Classic Head Half Cent1835 P Classic Head Half Cent1836 P Classic Head Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1836 P Classic Head Half Cent - Restrike - Reverse of 1840-1857 - Proof Only

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 24 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Copper Half-Cent and One-Cent Coin Legislation — United States Mint
  2. Penny: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Classic Head Half Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts