Half Cent Coinage: 1793-1797

Although first issued from the Mint in 1793 there was an interesting road for the half cent to travel before this denomination became a reality. It began in 1784 when Thomas Jefferson, then a member of the Confederation Congress, prepared a report in which he laid out details of a proposed national coinage; almost as an afterthought, he came up with a copper coin, of which there would be 200 to the dollar.

Congress took action in July 1785 by passing a mint bill, which included the half cent of pure copper. It was a beginning but only on paper because that government did not possess the kind of money required to fund a mint as well as staff it with qualified officers and men.

Finally, in the spring of 1790, the new Federal Congress asked Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton to prepare a report for its guidance in establishing a mint and coinage. It was completed and delivered to the legislators in January 1791. Because of the simple, yet eloquent, language used by Hamilton, that part dealing with the half cent is worth quoting:

“Pieces of very small value, are a great accommodation, and the means of a beneficial economy to the poor, by enabling them to purchase, in small portions, and at a more reasonable rate,