1828 1/2C 13 Stars, BN (Regular Strike)
Series: Classic Head Half Cents 1809-1835
PCGS MS66BN
13 vs. 12 STARS
PCGS MS65BN
- PCGS #:
- 1147
- Designer:
- John Reich
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 23.50 millimeters
- Weight:
- 5.44 grams
- Mintage:
- 606,000
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- Copper
- Auction Record:
- $3,220 • MS60 • 09-13-2003 • American Numismatic Rarities
Major Varieties
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 3,000 |
| 60 or Better | 400 |
| 65 or Better | 25 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-4.4 |
| 60 or Better | R-6.2 |
| 65 or Better | R-9.0 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 15 / 16 |
| 60 or Better | 12 / 16 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 9 / 16 TIE |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 15 / 16 |
| 60 or Better | 12 / 16 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 9 / 16 TIE |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 PCGS MS66BN
Heritage Auctions, March 2010, Lot 44; Larry Hanks; “The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers, March 31, 2017, Lot 5072 – $5,287.50. C-3 Glowing orange color surrounds the date. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65BN
"The Menlo Park Collection," Heritage Auctions, September 1, 2008, Lot 125 - $1,093; "The Big Sky Collection," Scotsman Coin & Jewelry, July 22, 2022, Lot 1054 - $1,033. C-3. |
#2 PCGS MS65BN
David Lawrence Rare Coins, August 22, 2021, Lot 8003 - $1,550. C-3. |
#2 PCGS MS65BN
"The Green Tree Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 19, 2018, Lot 169 - $2,350. C-3. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65BN
David Lawrence Rare Coins, June 12, 2016, Lot 7003 - $1,225. Link inactive. Likely C-3, but not included in the C-3 Census. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65BN
Heritage Auctions, March 3, 2016, Lot 3473 - $1,057.50. C-3. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65BN
Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2014, Lot 8051 - $1,292.50. C-3. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65BN
"The V.A. Everest Collection," Heritage Auctions, July 26, 2003, Lot 5121 - $1,006. C-3. |
#2 PCGS MS65BN
"The AnkurJ Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3. Plenty of red remains along the coin's protected surfaces. Steel-blue toning throughout. |
#2 PCGS MS65BN
"RUATWINCOIN" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3. Red remains in the coin's protected areas. |
#2 PCGS MS65BN
C-3. |
The United States Mint did not produce half cents in 1827 but resumed their issue in 1828. The 1828 Classic Head Half Cent has a reported mintage of 606,000 pieces—a sizable total second only to the series’ inaugural 1809 issue (#1123).
For this release, Mint Chief Engraver William Kneass made slight modifications to the obverse, most notably adjusting the chin. While The Red Book denotes two primary varieties—13 Stars and 12 Stars—specialists have identified three distinct die marriages. Cohen-1 (#35258) and Cohen-3 (#35262) comprise the 13 Stars variety, while Cohen-2 (#35264) is the sole 12 Stars die marriage. None of the three are linked by shared dies in a way that allows for a definitive die sequence.
Of the three, the Cohen-1 is by far the scarcest in Mint State and is likely undervalued in the current market. Following it in rarity is the Cohen-2. By contrast, multiple examples of the Cohen-3 survive in Mint State, including many pieces with Red-Brown (RB) or Red (RD) designations. These are attributed to a hoard of approximately 1,000 pieces discovered in 1884 and sold by Benjamin Collins, a Treasury Department employee-turned-coin dealer.
It is impossible to determine exactly how many 1828 Classic Head Half Cents entered circulation. While many did, Mint records indicate that a significant number of unwanted examples were melted down in 1832.
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