This listing is for one 1804 Draped Bust Half Cent. The photographed coin is the one listed. This series is well sought by collectors of early American coins. Just over 1 million of these coins were ever minted, and few exist in this condition today.
The 1804 Draped Bust Half Cent is a coin that any collector would love to add to their collection. Not only does it exude historical significance, there are so precious few of these coins still around. Understanding this, it only makes sense that a wise collector would do their best to get their hands on one of these pieces sooner rather than later.
One major variety of the 1804 Draped Bust Half Cent (Penny) features the "spiked chin" on the liberty portrait. A die defect resulted in a protrusion that extends from the chin on the liberty head. In addition: small wave-like ripples are featured on the obverse of the coin below the chin.
On the coin’s obverse, the center of the face is dominated by the rightward-facing image of Lady Liberty. The image of Lady Liberty is so incredibly detailed that even the curls in her hair are easily able to be seen. Being that there is draped clothing over her bust, the Draped Bust coin name makes sense. Above the central image is an inscription reading “Liberty,” while the 1804 year of minting is inscribed below the image. Around the very outer edges of the coin there are raised notches, which give the coin more appealing aesthetics as well as texture.
On the reverse side of the Draped Bust, the center is marked by an inscription reading the “Half Cent” face value of the coin. Surrounding this inscription is a loosely-tied wreath, held together by a bow. Beneath the bow is an inscription reading “1/200,” or the Half Cent’s value relative to a whole dollar. Finally, the words “United States of America” are inscribed around the outside of the wreath.
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.
First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 on April 2, 1792, the coin was produced in the United States from 1793 to 1857. The half-cent piece was made of 100% copper and was valued at five milles, or one two-hundredth of a dollar. It was slightly smaller than a modern U.S. quarter with diameters 22 mm (1793), 23.5 mm (1794–1836) and 23 mm (1840–1857). Coinage was discontinued by the Coinage Act of February 21, 1857. They were all produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
Composition: Copper
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 1,055,312
1804 Half Cent Plain 4 No Stems - VF30 (Very Fine) - 1804 Draped Bust Half Cent - 1804 Half Cent Stemless Regular 4 - Early American Coin