Vital Stats.
Designer: John Reich
Diameter: 23.5 mm
Edge: Plain
Metal Content: 00% copper
Weight: 5.44 grams
Year/
Mint Mark | Circulation
Strikes |
| 1809 | 1,154,572 |
| 1810 | 215,000 |
| 1811 | 63,140 |
| 1825 | 63,000 |
| 1826 | 234,000 |
| 1828 | 606,000 |
| 1829 | 487,000 |
1831  | 2,200 |
| 1832 | 51,000 |
| 1833 | 103,000 |
| 1834 | 141,000 |
| 1835 | 398,000 |
| 1836 | (25) |
|
Typical (pop. 5,307)
"Classic Head" Half Cent
War and political unrest caused many people to flee Europe. One of these immigrants was John
Reich, a German engraver who paid for his passage through indentured service. His talents came
to the attention of Thomas Jefferson, who recommended his appointment as assistant to Mint
Engraver Robert Scot. Scot would have none of this. To Scot, an assistant was more of a
competitor than a helper. Nevertheless, Chief Coiner Henry Voigt redeemed Reich's servitude
and gave him various jobs at the Mint, but he wasn't allowed to design coins.
In 1807, Reich was given the job of Assistant Engraver. He was promptly assigned the
task of redesigning all the coinage. The unmistakable European influence may have seemed
a bit foreign to Americans. In its day, Reich's Liberty was cruelly characterized as the
"artist's fat mistress." In 1817, after exactly a decade as Scot's assistant, he resigned,
frustrated at never receiving a raise or any respect from the Chief Engraver.
His design was reminiscent of classical art, but the "Classic Head" name was not attached
until 1868 by Ebenezer Mason. The name was inspired by the depiction of a fillet (Liberty's
narrow headband) which dates back to ancient Greece.
The fillet seemed out of character because only young men wore the band in ancient times, as a prize in a athletic contests.
|
