Liberty Cap Bust Right Half Cent 1794 - 1797

In January of 1793, King Louis XVI of France faced a grim fate, marking the beginning of a tumultuous period known as the "Reign of Terror." While the French Revolution initially embraced the principles of the American model, it eventually descended into chaos and bloody conflicts during the Napoleonic Era. Across the Atlantic, however, the United States had moved beyond its revolutionary struggles and was focused on economic development.

Congress prioritized the promotion of business and trade, leading to the establishment of a sovereign coinage system. On April 2, 1792, the Coinage Act was passed, authorizing the Mint and defining the standards for the new decimal coinage of the federal government. One of the smallest denominations introduced was the copper half cent, which was first minted in July 1793, just four months after the Chain cent made its debut. Although many modern Americans may not realize it, the half cent held more value than expected, representing 1/200th of a dollar. In 1793, a dollar carried substantial purchasing power, even though the U.S. did not produce dollar coins until the following year.

Instead of U.S. dollar coins, the new copper cents and half cents were fractions of the Spanish milled dollar or Piece of Eight, a weighty silver coin struck in Spanish and Latin American mints. These Spanish coins were widely used throughout the Western Hemisphere and served as the basis for the U.S. silver dollar issued in 1794. Since the Spanish fractional one real or "bit" equaled 12-1/2 cents in the decimal coinage system, the half cent was necessary for facilitating accurate change. However, outside of the Atlantic seaboard, few Americans handled these "Little Half Sisters," a nickname coined by Dr. Warren A. Lapp to describe the denomination.

Despite being minted for over 60 years, the half cent remained an unpopular coin in America. It circulated reluctantly, if at all, and often remained stored at the Mint, awaiting infrequent orders from the country's young banks. Production was frequently disrupted due to shortages of copper and lack of demand, lasting for several years at times. This lack of popularity may have been attributed to the association with the poorest classes, as they were believed to be the primary users of the coin, according to Robert Morris, a Revolutionary War financier and one of the architects of the U.S. coinage system. Morris subscribed to the misguided notion that smaller denominations led to lower prices, allowing the poor to afford more with their money. Unfortunately, not only did the public have little use for half cents, but collectors also overlooked them for generations. Only recently, with the publication of comprehensive works in the mid-1980s, such as Roger Cohen's "American Half Cents, the 'Little Half Sisters'" and Walter Breen's "Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents," has there been renewed interest in this long-neglected denomination.

The first Director of the United States Mint, the esteemed scientist David Rittenhouse, took inspiration from French medalist Augustin Dupre's Libertas Americana Medal of 1783 when selecting the obverse design for the first half cent. This medal, a striking example of propagandistic art, was minted in Paris under the guidance of American envoy Benjamin Franklin. It aimed to promote American liberty and celebrate the victories of the Continental Army at Saratoga and Yorktown. Dupre depicted Liberty as a young woman with flowing hair symbolizing freedom, with a pole behind her supporting the ancient cap of liberty, known as a pileus. Franklin believed this medal would foster goodwill between America and France, which it did to some extent. Researchers in numismatics suggest that coiner Adam Eckfeldt, aided by engravers Joseph Wright and Robert Birch, created the dies for the new half cent. Eckfeldt was a skilled machinist and versatile craftsman who kept the Mint operational despite scarcities of copper, die steel, and proficient workers. Production commenced in late July and continued until September 1793 when the Mint closed due to the annual yellow fever epidemic, which claimed the life of Joseph Wright.

The design featured an idealized left-facing portrait of Liberty, wearing a prominent Phrygian cap, a soft cap worn by liberated Roman slaves. The cap represented newly attained freedom and concealed the close-cropped haircuts that identified slaves, just as striped uniforms would later identify escaping convicts. Above the bust, the inscription "LIBERTY" was displayed, while the date "1793" appeared below. The reverse, based on sketches provided by Rittenhouse and fashioned by Eckfeldt, showcased a laurel wreath tied with a bow, symbolizing victory. Surrounding the wreath were the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the fraction "1/200," encasing the words "HALF CENT." Both sides of the coin featured a beaded border, and the edges bore the incuse inscription "TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR" followed by two leaves. This single issue of the half cent displayed four major varieties based on the size and placement of the fraction, the presence of a period after "AMERICA," and the inclusion and size of a center dot between "HALF" and "CENT."

During its inaugural year, the newly established United States Mint managed to strike 35,334 of the new half cents. Today, only approximately 550 specimens remain, with the majority in lower circulated grades. Very Fine to About Uncirculated examples are only occasionally available. Mint state coins, with some exhibiting signs of careful production, likely as souvenirs for important individuals, number around 20. Collectors eagerly seek the 1793 half cent due to its status as the first year of the denomination and its unique one-year type design. Wear is typically observed on Liberty's hair above her brow, behind her ear, and on her shoulder. On the reverse, attention should be paid to the leaves above the "H" in "HALF."

The coining of the cents and half cents in 1793 kept the newly established Mint staff occupied and allowed them to enhance their skills until personnel involved in silver or gold coinage could meet the high bond requirements set by Congress. Eventually, President Washington agreed to lower the bonds to a more reasonable amount, but in the meantime, the production of copper coins kept the Mint machinery operational. Without the copper coinage, which held no legal tender status and lacked precious metal content, the Mint would have faced even more significant challenges.

Following the death of Joseph Wright, Rittenhouse appointed Robert Scot as Chief Engraver. Scot, known for his expertise in watchmaking and banknote engraving, proved to have marginal skills as a die-cutter. In 1794, Scot modified the half cent design by enlarging Liberty's head and cap, as well as changing the direction she faced to the right. This Liberty Cap design, with subsequent modifications, remained in circulation until 1797.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Designer: Robert Scot

Diameter: 23.5 millimeters

Metal content: Copper

Weight: 104 grains (6.74 grams)

Mint mark: None (all examples of this type were struck at Philadelphia)