1796 Liberty Cap Half Cents : With Pole

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

One major variety of the 1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent (Penny) features the standard pole on the obverse of the coin in the lower-right corner of the liberty bust. This is one of the rarest and most valuable varieties of the half cents but there is also an even rarer and more valuable variety without the pole. The difference between the coins with the pole vs without the pole is depicted below in the example comparison image. Source of image for "no pole" variety courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries:

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-65)	Proof (PR-65)
$24,594	$30,915	$46,800	$62,587	$86,970	$118,824	-	$877,031	-

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent (With Pole Variety) is Worth $30,915 in Average Condition and can be Worth $877,031 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.


MELT VALUE: $0.0957