Half cents were authorized by the Coinage Act of April 2, 1792, but their weight and size made them unpopular coins. Although the number of half cents minted was low, five different types were struck in multiple different varieties. In fact, there are more varieties of half cents than any other US coin.

The five types are as follows: Liberty Cap facing left, which was only struck in 1793 and featured the head of Liberty wearing a cap; Liberty Cap facing right, which was struck from 1794 to 1797; Draped Bust, which was struck from 1800 to 1808 and featured the bust of Liberty facing right; Classic Head, which was struck from 1809 to 1835 and featured the head of Liberty facing left; and Braided Hair, which was struck from 1840 to 1857 (although the only known versions from 1840 to 1848 are proofs) and featured the same image of Liberty that was used on large cents in 1839.

Although there were some slight variations, the reverse of each of these coins featured "Half Cent" written in the center of a wreath, surrounded by "United States of America." Half cents were discontinued in 1857 by the Coinage Act of February 21.

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1797 Flowing Hair Half Cent 1 Over 1797 High Grade Early Copper1800 Half Cent, Draped Bust - No Reserve!1793 Liberty Cap Half (1/2) Cent Pcgs Fr02 Cac -- Problem-free & Affordable!!1857 Braided Hair Half-cent ~ Ngc Ms 63 Bn ~ Scarce Date 1803 Draped Bust Half Cent1794 Half Cent, Cohen 1a, Flowing Hair - No Reserve!1811 Half Cent Pcgs Genuine1857 Ms+++ Braided Hair Half Cent From Huge Estate1807 Us Draped Bust Half Cent 1/2c - Pcgs Vf251849 Ms+++ Braided Hair Half Cent From Huge Estate1794 Half Cent, Flowing Hair, C-7, Rarity 5+, No Reserve!1795 Half Cent, C-6a, Struck Off Center ~ 7%, No Reserve!Original Au 1806 Draped Bust Half Cent ~ No Reserve! ~ Large 6 Stems1857 Braided Hair United States Copper Half Cent Coin1834 1/2c Classic Head Half Cent ~ Pcgs Au 53 ~ Nice! Eye Appeal! No Reserve!1835 Ms+++ Classic Head Half Cent From Huge Estate1804 Draped Bust Half Cent--attractive Original Vf/xf Coin--crosslet 4, Stems1853 Ms+++ Braided Hair Half Cent From Huge Estate1809/6 Classic Half-cent ~ Ngc Vf 35 ~ C-51802 Half Cent Ag Damaged Rare1828 Classic Head Half Cent **12 Stars** Great Details, No Reserve!!1795 Half Cent, Cohen 6, Plain Edge, No Pole, 76.4 Grains - No Reserve!Hjb-classic Half Cent, 1834, Au Details, Whizzed, Ngc.1828 Half Cent Classic Coin Us Coin S91805 Large Half Cent Draped Bust Us Coin S8United States Of America Scarce 'liberty Head' 1854 Half Cent Copper Coin1835 Classic Half Cent--uncirculated Details--cool Reverse Die CracksClassic Head Half Cent 1828 Copper Coin Lot Us Mint Rare Variety Nice Grade L@@k1853 Braided Hair Half Cent Uncirculated 1832 Classic Liberty 1/2 Cent About Uncirculated1808/7 Half Cent, Draped Bust ** No Reserve **1797 Flowing Hair Half Cent Id# L7491825 Classic Head Half Cent (xf+)Lot Of (2) Half Cents, 1807 Draped Bust 1/2c, 1828 Classic Head, Original LookNice 1855 Braided Hair Half Cent1832 Half Cent, C-2, High Grade 1807 Draped Bust Half Cent Scarce Date Copper Coin Nice Grade No Reserve Lot W@w1832 Classic Head Half Cent Uncirculated++ ** Nice!!!1794 Half Cent, Flowing Hair, C-9 - No Reserve!1803 1/2c Draped Bust Half Cent ~ Pcgs G06 ~ No Reserve!United States Of America Scarce 'liberty Head' 1829 Half Cent Copper Coin1809 Classic Head Half Cent Free Shipping1804 1/2 Draped Bust Half Cent Pcgs Vg Details ~ Crosslet 4, Stems ~ Nice! Super 1807 Draped Bust Half 1/2 Cent Us U.s. Type Coin Vg Nice Detail W/ DraperySharp Us 1809 Half Cent Classic Turban Head Full Liberty Type Coin Cleaned1835 Classic Head Half Cent Near Bu Red Near Unc. Uncirculated L@@k RecoloredUsa Half Cent 1804 Good Collectable Grade1835 Classic Head Half Cent1805 Draped Bust Half Cent Scarce Date Copper Coin Nice Grade No Reserve Lot W@w1829 Classic Head Half Cent Choice Xf++/au Sharp Us 1809 Half Cent Classic Turban Head Full Liberty Coin Rotated Die Error1/2c Half Cent Penny 1806 F/vf, Large 6, W/stems, G#3, R1, Draped BustUs Coin: 1790's Flowing Hair Liberty Cap Half Cent Lettered EdgeSuper Us 1828 Half Cent Classic Turban Head Full Liberty Type Coin Classic Head Half Cent 1809 Copper Coin Lot Us Mint Rare Variety Nice Grade L@@kSharp Us 1825 Half Cent Classic Turban Head Full Liberty Coin Rotated Die Error1854 Braided Hair Half Cent 1804 Draped Bust Half Cent "details" Damaged 1850 Half Cent 1804 "spiked Chin" Half Cent