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The 1828 13 Stars Classic Head Half Cent in About Good (AG) condition is a humble yet historically rich artifact from the closing years of one of America’s earliest coinage denominations. Half cents were the smallest denomination ever issued by the United States Mint, and by 1828, their role in American commerce was waning due to inflation, rising production costs, and public disinterest in such small-value coinage. Despite this, the coins produced during this period maintain considerable appeal for numismatists due to their artistry, relative scarcity, and tangible link to a formative era of U.S. economic history. The 1828 issue is especially intriguing for its stylistic transition within the Classic Head series and for being one of the final years of regular half cent production.
The Classic Head design, introduced in 1809, was created by John Reich, a German-born engraver brought to the U.S. Mint by then-Mint Director Robert Patterson. Reich’s goal was to replace the earlier Draped Bust style with a more contemporary and naturalistic image. The Classic Head features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair bound with a fillet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” Compared to earlier designs, this version of Liberty has softer features and a more subdued, classical elegance. The design is emblematic of the neoclassical ideals still prevalent in early 19th-century America and helped set the tone for other denominations during the same period. The half cent bore this design from 1809 until 1836, though it was struck intermittently.
The obverse of the 1828 Classic Head Half Cent features the youthful bust of Liberty, framed by a border of thirteen six-pointed stars—one for each of the original American colonies. The date “1828” is positioned below Liberty’s bust along the lower rim. In the 1828 issue, the Mint produced multiple varieties, including coins with 12 stars and others with 13 stars, reflecting minor die differences that resulted from manual engraving processes. The 13-star variant is more common and is the version described here. In About Good condition, the portrait of Liberty is heavily worn, with most facial details and hair features smoothed into the surrounding surface. The stars and date are often faint but generally visible, allowing for identification of the coin’s type and issue year.
The reverse of the coin bears the denomination “HALF CENT” encircled by a laurel wreath with a bow at the base. Around the outer rim are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” rendered in serifed lettering. The wreath design includes finely rendered leaves and stems in higher grades, but on an AG example, much of this intricate detail is lost to circulation wear. Still, the major design elements—wreath outline, denomination, and some lettering—usually remain visible to the trained eye. The coin’s edge is plain, distinguishing it from earlier types such as the Draped Bust Half Cents, which featured lettered edges. The simplicity of the edge also reflects evolving minting technology and a shift toward more standardized coin designs in the 1820s.
The Philadelphia Mint, the only operational minting facility at the time, produced all 1828 half cents. The total reported mintage for that year was 606,000 pieces, a relatively modest figure even by the standards of early U.S. copper coinage. This mintage is spread across multiple die varieties, with the 13-star version representing the bulk of the output. These coins were struck using open-collared screw presses and manually engraved dies, which contributed to variations in alignment, star placement, and wreath detail across individual pieces. Because many half cents were melted down or discarded due to their low value and limited utility in commerce, survivors today—especially in any collectible condition—are prized by those interested in early American copper.
The Classic Head Half Cent was produced for circulation during a period when American coinage was still finding its national identity. The half cent was originally authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, intended to make low-value transactions easier in a time when small Spanish and state-issued coins still circulated widely. By the late 1820s, however, changing economic conditions and a shift toward paper currency and token usage began to render small copper coins obsolete. The 1828 issue, part of the final decade of the half cent’s production, thus serves as a historical marker of the denomination’s gradual decline and the shifting preferences of American commerce and public usage.
In About Good condition, an 1828 13 Stars Classic Head Half Cent shows heavy signs of circulation. The obverse is typically worn smooth in the central areas, with Liberty’s bust reduced to a faint silhouette. The word “LIBERTY” on her headband is often completely worn away, though the basic shape of the portrait remains discernible. On the reverse, the wreath may be largely flattened, and the bow knot at the base may be indistinct. The inscription “HALF CENT” may be partially faded, and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” may appear weak or incomplete. The rim is often worn into the field, and the coin may show light corrosion, nicks, or rim bruises consistent with its age and extensive handling.
Despite its wear, an AG-grade 1828 Classic Head Half Cent retains historical charm and provides collectors with an affordable entry point into the rich world of early American copper coinage. These coins are valued not for their aesthetic perfection but for their age, their role in the everyday economic life of early Americans, and their survival through nearly two centuries. Each worn surface tells a story—perhaps of merchant counters, frontier markets, or pockets in early American towns—and embodies the foundational moments of the country’s monetary development.
Collectors who specialize in early U.S. copper often value even heavily circulated pieces like the 1828 Half Cent for their type and variety significance. The coin’s presence in a collection, even in About Good condition, adds depth and historical perspective. It represents the craftsmanship of the early Philadelphia Mint, the vision of engravers like John Reich, and the social and economic realities of the 1820s. Variety specialists may also find interest in die diagnostics, especially in identifying overdates or small-size date punches, which can sometimes still be discerned even on low-grade examples with magnification and careful study.
The 1828 13 Stars Classic Head Half Cent in About Good condition may lack the sharpness and luster of higher-grade examples, but it remains a meaningful and historically valuable piece of early U.S. coinage. As one of the final regular issues of the half cent denomination, it encapsulates the twilight of a monetary era that once played an essential role in daily life. Its simple elegance, combined with its survival through nearly two centuries, continues to attract collectors who seek not only rarity or beauty but a genuine connection to the numismatic legacy of the early United States.