Half Cents

okay so im looking to buy my first half cent. Any one have any pointers for me? Advice on what to look for or look out for? I'm going for xf ish I'm thinking on a classic liberty head. I'm a sucker for cracks and rpd/mpd's. Are there certain years that these are more common?

 

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The set with the least expensive coins is the Braided Hair Half Cents (1839-1857), also known as the Coronet Half Cents.
You should easily be able to get an XF for less than $100.
That issue is really a subset design from a larger issue, the Liberty Head Half Cents (1816-1857).
The earlier designs were the Matron Head (1816-1835) and the Matron Head Modified (1835-1839).
Not surprisingly the older dates are more expensive.

Prior to the Liberty Head Half Cents are the Classic Head issue (1809-1814).
Your pockets would have to be pretty deep to get ANY of them in XF.
And of course the even older half cents get very pricy.

Look to the first set I mentioned.

 

What's with the restrikes?

 

Kanga I think he said 1/2 cents . The classic head 1/2 cent was 1809 to 1836 . The 1 cent Classic head was from '08 to 1814 . A 1/2 cent Classic Head should be had for $100 to 150 or more . The cents would be over a grand or 2 or more .

 

I've also been on the lookout for half cents in the XF-AU range to add to my type set. Recently I am finding myself to be more and more picky and have gotten better at passing up coins that may seem like a good deal but lack eye appeal. There seems to be a lot of half cents and large cents on the market that are in solid TPG holders but have blotchy or uneven color patterns. My instincts tell me to avoid these and go for the "chocolate brown".

Perhaps some copper specialists out there would like to chime in?

 

I picked this one up a couple months ago well below book value. I have to agree with the chocolate brown color. This one received a brown designation as well it should. It is a nice coin. Plus the 1828 has two varieties for the year. I think the Classic Head 1/2 cents are the best buys right now for coins entering their 200 years of existence. You should be able to get these in good grades for a reasonable price.

 

Very nice! I can't imagine anyone not liking the look of that coin.

 

I posted this last month, time to bring it back for another peek; a quarter-ton of fake Large Cents, Indian Head Cents, and Half Cents.

 

Definitely go for an even colored coin . If it looks good to you it will look good to others , and visa versa . Definitely avoid proplem or splotchy coins for two reasons , if you don't really like the coin you'll never be happy with it . And if you ever sell it will sell at a discount .

 

I myself love the Classic Head half cents. I started putting together a collection of them. Yes the 1811 are expensive but for the most part the other dates are very do able . My set 1809 plus variety runs from 1809-1836 it includes the 1837 hard times token, but not the 1836 year coins.
I have 3 1828 coins the 12 &13 * star that believe it or not were picked up in the 125-150 range in XF-AU condition .
If you shop these you can pick them up under book. These are very classic looking coins,and surprisingly very easy to find. I'm not a copper collector,but love these coins in the 200 year old range.

 

Yeh, I really botched my whole listing of half cents.
And I should know better since I've got both Red Book listed sets as business strikes (Classic Head & Braided Hair).

 

Assuming I get this right, here's my Classic Head Half Cents set:

https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/MySets_Listing.aspx?PeopleSetID=89446

Since the NGC Registry Set only contains one variety of the 1811 that's all that shows.
Actually I have both major varieties.

 

My 1828 Classic Half Cents, the colors here are not true to what you see in hand taken with a scope. All 3 I say range from XF to Au , and all were under $130

 

Nice set Kanga all have wonderful color and details . Two Thumbs Up

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I pulled the trigger on this one today. Def not XF but I still think it will look nice in my 7070 set. What would yout grade this coin and what would you have paid?

 

VG - hardly any hair or wreath detail at all? No idea on price.

 

The only reason I knew to check was I have a '28 1/2 cent for my type set . You should have seen the mistake I made yesterday . I said I think the cobs listed were fake , completely forgetting they made copper cobs . We're all human .

 

I would call it a fine, and I think around $45 or so. It's a Cohen 3 for what it's worth.

 

Ditto that !!!!!

 

I like it a lot. Original color with honest wear, I'm almost sure it would slab problem free. Much preferable to a higher grade example with blotchy or unnatural color.