What was the last year for a U.S. half cent coin to be in general circulation and used as a half cent?
The Red Book will quickly tell you the last year the coin was minted, but I don't think it generally has much to say about when they stopped circulating...?
They were never demonetized, so it's a tough question. I would suggest looking for when the intrinsic value of the copper permanently surpassed their face value.
How about something called "Google." I never answer a question someone could have easily looked up themselves
Actually they were never legal tender until 1965 (that is NOT a typo). Impossible to actually say when they actually stopped circulating, but the Mint was still redeeming and melting down half cents and large cents as late as at least 1890. I haven't checked later records. The place to find the redemption information is in the annual mint reports not the Redbook.
Yes, but it didnt effect them circulating. They were functionally legal tender for small debts, and were never demonetized.
I doubt that most people ever saw one in circulation after the 1830s. I say this based upon my collecting experience. When I was collecting them by die variety, the really low grade ones, that got there by honest wear and not damage, were generally dated from 1793 to 1811. When the series resumed in 1825, pieces in less than VF are unusual. The made for circulation pieces continued until 1835, with not all years in between and then went on Proof-only status. Anyone who has collected the 1849 to 1857 pieces will note that EF and better for sharpness is the norm. In other words, the coin was not popular and saw very little use. Yet, some guy named Hesselman so fit to issue this piece in 1837.
Thanks for posting this. The Red Book is a valuable reference, but it doesn't contain all numismatic knowledge. Not even Google does (although, of course, it'll gobble up everything we post here...)
You have to remember that this based on my deductions and observations. I also know that the half cents and large cents did not circulate well, especially the half cents.
Sooner or later, we all have to rely on deductions and observations, and often we have to rely on other people for them. You've observed more than I ever will on this series, and I value your observations.
I have often wondered that. I suppose the nation has never demonetized odd denomination legal tender type coins have they? I could in effect take an old seated twenty cent coin and purchase a pack of gum with it if I wanted..... Wouldn’t that blow a young cashiers thought process away?