Half Cents (1793 - 1857)
The half cent is the smallest denomination of United States coin ever minted. It was first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857. All were minted in Philadelphia in five different appearances and made of 100% copper and were valued at five milles, or one two-hundredth of a dollar. It is slightly smaller than a modern U.S. quarter with diameters 22 mm (1793), 23.5 mm (1794–1836) and 23 mm (1840–1857). Coinage was discontinued by the Coinage Act of February 21, 1857.
