Numismatic

1828 Half Cent 12 Stars VF

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In 1828, the Philadelphia Mint produced a fascinating variation of the Classic Head half cent that continues to captivate numismatists. While most issues of this era featured thirteen stars to represent the original colonies, a specific die error resulted in a scarcer run of coins displaying only twelve stars surrounding the central figure. This particular copper piece has survived in Very Fine condition, preserving the distinct details of this historic anomaly. The obverse of the coin features a left-facing, capped representation of Liberty, framed by the unusual arrangement of twelve stars and the date 1828. Above the portrait, the word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed. This design, created by John Reich, showcases the early artistic direction of United States coinage, where manual die-sinking often led to intriguing varieties. On the reverse, a delicate wreath encloses the denomination HALF CENT. Encircling this central wreath is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck in pure copper, this coin represents a total mintage of 606,000 across both the twelve-star and thirteen-star varieties, making the twelve-star version a prized find for those who study the subtle differences in early American minting history.