Half Cent Coins

Half Cents were one of the first US coins and were first minted in 1793 (1793-1857).

George Washington was in his second term as President of the United States.

First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 on April 2, 1792, the coin was produced in the United States from 1793 to 1857. The half-cent piece was made of 100% copper and was valued at five milles, or one two-hundredth of a dollar.

There are not any mint marks on half cents. They were all made at the Philadelphia Mint as it was the only mint in the United States at the time.

Many workers would bring home a few dollars a week, so to be more precise with purchases, the half cent was introduced.