1795 HALF CENT

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 139,690
Proofs: 0

Designer: John Smith Gardner

Diameter: ±23.5 millimeters

Metal content:
Copper - 100%

Weight:
Lettered Edge: 104 grains (6.74 grams)
Plain Edge: 84 grains (5.44 grams)
Exceptions exist to both

Edge:
Lettered ("TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR") until December 27, 1795; thereafter plain

Mintmark: None (all 1795 Half Cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint)

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

Varieties (6, plus subvarieties):
Cohen 1 - 
Cohen 2 - Scarce
Cohen 3 - Very Rare
Cohen 4 - 
Cohen 5 - 
Cohen 6 - 

Notes:
The finest Brown "Plain Edge" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-66BN.

The finest Red-Brown "Plain Edge" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-65RB.

The finest Brown "PE Punc Dt" example graded by PCGS are 4 VG-VFBN's.

The finest Brown "Lettered Edge" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-66BN.

The finest Brown "LE Punc Dt" example graded by PCGS is a single EF-45BN.

A Red-Brown "LE Punc Dt" example was graded by PCGS, but no grade was assigned.

No Red examples of either variety, and no Red-Brown of the Lettered Edge variety (except the Red-Brown "LE Punc DT") have been graded by PCGS.

Significant examples:
See individual varieties

Recent appearances:
See individual varieties

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"American Half Cents - The 'Little Half Sisters' (Second Edition)" by Roger S. Cohen, Jr.

"Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents 1793-1857" by Walter Breen