The Liberty Cap half cent was the first

half cent The half cent was the smallest denomination of United States coin ever minted. It was first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857. It was minted with five different designs. History First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 on April 2, 1792, ...

coin produced by the

United States Mint The United States Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. It does not produce paper money; tha ...

. It was issued from 1793 until 1797.

History

The Liberty Cap half cent was among the first coins produced by the

Philadelphia Mint The Philadelphia Mint in Philadelphia was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce in the United States. This led the Founding Fathers of the United States to make an establishment of a continental national ...

, with the only other coins produced by the Mint in 1793 were the Chain,

Wreath A wreath () is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a circle . In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, most commonly as an Advent and Chri ...

, and Liberty Cap large cents. Production of the half cent was temporarily suspended in 1797, but resumed in 1800 with a new design.

Design

The obverse of the Liberty Cap half cent originally featured a bust of

Liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...

facing left, with flowing hair and a Liberty cap on a pole behind her. In 1794, the design was flipped so that Liberty faced right. The reverse featured a wreath that was similar to that of the Wreath cent.

Designers

The 1793 half cent was engraved by

Henry Voigt Henry Voigt or Henry Voight (1738–1814) was a clockmaker, mathematical instrument maker, machine and steam engine builder, and Chief Coiner of the first United States Mint. He operated a wire mill in Reading Pennsylvania and repaired clocks and w ...

, although it is not known if he was the original designer. The "Liberty facing right" coins were designed and engraved by

Robert Scot Robert Scot (October 2, 1745 – November 3, 1823) was a Scottish-American engraver who served as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1793 until his death in 1823. He was succeeded by William Kneass. Scot designed the popular and r ...

References

Half-cent coins of the United States {{Coin-stub