Liberty Cap Half Cent:

Some of the very first coins struck by the newly opened United States Mint in Philadelphia were copper Half Cent coins. Designed by Henry Voight, the current engraver at the Mint, the coins had a portrait of Miss Liberty, facing left. Behind her is a liberty pole and cap with the word “LIBERTY” above her and the date “1793” below her. On the reverse is a wreath with “HALF CENT” inside and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the periphery. Below the wreath is 1/200 expressing the value of 200 per one dollar.

Only slightly more than 35,000 of these coins were struck and as some of the earliest coin in American history they are highly desirable, even in well-worn grades.

These 1793 coins were soon followed by a re-designed Liberty coin, this time by engraver Robert Scot. His Liberty Capp design was struck in 1794 through 1797. His design was very similar to Voight’s except that Miss Liberty now faced to the right. While the 1796-date coin is very scarce the earlier dates and the ending date all had mintages near or over 100,000 coins, making them available, even today.