1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent All Varieties
Head Facing Right
What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):
Mintage:
81,600
Minted at:
Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)
Designer – Engraver:
Robert Scot
Metal Composition: 100% Copper
Diameter: 23.5 mm
Mass / Weight: 6.74 grams
There were two major varieties of the 1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent (Penny). One variety was the Normal Head type in which the obverse was struck in a lower relief. The normal head has more and thinner denticles that encircle the rim of the coin. The other major variety is the "High Relief" type in which the coin was strongly struck much deeper. This resulted in details of the liberty "sticking out" further with deep details. The denticles along the rim are also thicker and there are fewer of them. The difference between the normal head (low relief) vs high relief varieties is depicted above in the example image of the coins. Source of example images are courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries.
There are multiple sub-varieties of each of these two main varieties. Cohen C1 - C2 - C3 - C4 - C5 and C6 are the low relief normal types where as C7 - C8 and C9 are the high relief varieties.
Major Varieties:
1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent - Normal Head - Low Relief
1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent - High Relief
There are multiple sub-varieties of each of these two main varieties. Cohen C1 - C2 - C3 - C4 - C5 and C6 are the low relief normal types where as C7 - C8 and C9 are the high relief varieties.
Major Varieties:
1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent - Normal Head - Low Relief
1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent - High Relief
Coin Value Chart
Typical retail values in USD based on grade/condition. Numismatic portion last updated February 2026; precious-metal portion updates live.
| G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | EF40 | AU50 | MS60 | MS65 | PR65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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