Liberty Cap Half Cents were one of the denominations authorized by the Mint Act of April 2, 1792. The first were delivered on July 30, 1793, by which time copper one-cent pieces had been issued since March. Some people may wonder why half cent coins were needed, but in the 1700s, pay was much less than it is now. Workers may take home $1 a day, or a week even. The half cent was necessary for providing those smaller payments. The Liberty Cap half cents run from 1794 through 1797, with varieties by year: 1794, and 1795-1797. (The 1793 issue, with Miss Liberty facing left, is cataloged separately as the Flowing Hair Half Cent.) Within each year, we list all of the sub-category variations that exist within this rare coin type.