Classic Head Half Cents

Classic Head Half Cents represent a period of significant change for the United States Mint.

Robert Patterson was appointed Mint Director in 1805. As Director, he was instrumental in the ascension of John Reich to the position of Second Engraver under Chief Engraver Robert Scot. Patterson gave Reich the responsibility of revamping the designs of U.S. coins, a task applied to the half cent for the 1809 issue. Chief Engraver Scot, unfortunately, was unwilling to give Reich the same credit for his abilities as did the Mint Director, and after not receiving a raise for almost 10 years and seeing his designs constantly modified by Scot, Reich resigned from the Mint in 1817.

But while he was there, Reich made a number of contributions to American coin design. Notable among them were Classic Head Half Cents.

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