Coin Value | US Half Cent (Classic Head) 1809 to 1836

US Half Cent (Classic Head) 1809 to 1836

Date: 1835	Mint mark: not apparent	Size: medium
Description: On the front is a lady facing left With hair down to her shoulders and a head band that says 'Liberty'. 7 stars are to her left with 6 to her right. On the back it reads 'Half Cent' Surrounded by a wreath with a Ribbon tied at the bottom. Around the edge of the coin reads 'United States Of America'.
Composition: not precious	Wear: well preserved	Eye appeal: attractive
Country: US	Denomination: not specified	Holder: 'RAW'
Damage: scratch, bent or gouged	Errors: None	Toning: No Toning
Cleaning: not cleaned

[Request 6681 received from Chance H, Saturday, 29-Jan-2011]

The US issued several different styles of half cents all the way up to 1857. This one is called the 'Classic Head' type with Miss Liberty's hair down in curls. Another type, called 'Braided Hair' or 'Coronet,' appears at this CoinQuest link.

Catalog values of classic head half cents run approximately like this:

worn; $35
average circulated (like our picture): $90
well preserved: $150
fully uncirculated: $500

Coins dated after 1827 are more common and worth about one-half the values above

Coins dated 1811 are extra rare, and catalog at about $1000 in average circulated condition.

There are other dates with unusual value behavior, notably 1831 and 1836, which require special numismatic (coin collector) expertise to properly evaluate. In fact, if you have a classic head half cent in well preserved condition, consider seeking a professional numsmatist or a knowledgable collector to evalute your coin. Our guidance on CoinQuest is very approximate.