Liberty Cap Half Cents
The Liberty Cap Half Cent was the first series for the smallest denomination of the United States authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. As such it has become an important coin historically and a desirable issue for type set collectors. The obverse of the coin features an image of Liberty facing left (1794) and facing right (1795-1797). A cap appears on a pole behind her head the inscriptions “Liberty” and the date appear above and below. The reverse features a laurel wreath with the denomination and “United States of America”.
During the course of the short series, the Liberty Cap Half Cent underwent a change in specifications. The official weight was reduced from 6.74 grams to 5.44 grams starting with 1795. The edge of the coin was also changed to lettered to plain, although some lettered edge coins exist for dates after the standard had changed.
Liberty Cap Half Cent Coin Specifications
| Dates: | 1794 (facing left) |
| 1795-1979 (facing right) | |
| Mint: | Philadelphia |
| Composition: | copper |
| Weight: | 6.74 grams (1794) |
| 5.44 grams (1795-1797) | |
| Diameter: | 23.5 mm |