NNP Encyclopedia data is provided in cooperation with Whitman Brands, based on catalog data organized by the Greysheet Identification System (GSID).
Entry Details
PCGS Number: 1187 Coin Date: 1831 Denomination (Short): 1/2c Denomination (Long): Half Cent Variety: Original Desg: PR Composition: Copper Mintage: 2,200 Strike Type: Proof Coinage Type: Half Cent Coinage Years: 1809-1836 Mint Location: Philadelphia Diameter: 23.5 Weight (Grams): 5.44 Weight (Ounces): 0.1749 Designer: John Reich Edge: Plain Edge Obverse Description: Lady Liberty is portrayed with a capped bonnet, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called classic head style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear left and right in a 7x6 formation. Reverse Description: The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words HALF CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom. General Notes: The 1831 half cent is somewhat controversial as a business strike. While mint reports of the time recorded a mintage of 2,200 coins, only a handful are known today and many experts believe that they are all proof strikes. NGC and PCGS have concluded that all coins are Proof format. However, other experts including Christopher McCawley believe that enough coins were released into circulation and now exist without distinctive proof surfaces to merit the fact that some were struck as business strikes. Regardless, the CDN considers the values to be the same for MS and PR designated coins.
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The Reverse 1840, Small Berries variety of the 1831 Proof Half Cent is
known as the second restrike type struck. As compared to the Reverse 1836,
Large Berries variety there are a few minor diagnostic differences on the
reverse. The berries that appear on the reverse wreath are very tiny in
which that specific reverse design remained in use from 1840 through 1857.
These restrikes were minted a few decades later from 1858 to 1861, for sale
to collectors, just before the start of the Civil War. This Half Cent Issue
comes from an original mintage of just 12 coins with only a single digit
quantity known to exist today, making it very rare and valuable as well as
desirable to high-end collectors. PCGS #: 1187 NGC ID: 2236
