1831-P Classic Head

  • Category
    Classic Head
  • Design
    Early Copper Half Penny (1809-1836)
  • Year
    1831
  • Mint
    Philadelphia
  • Mintage
    2,200
  • Designer
    John Reich
  • Composition
    100% Copper
  • Diameter
    23.5mm
  • Weight
    5.44g
Known variants:
Restrike - Large Berries - Reverse of 1836

One major variety of the 1831 Classic Head Half Cent (Penny) features the first restrike version. The reverse of this coin features large round berries on the wreath. This was the design used between 1831-1836. The left side of the last letter "S" in the word "STATES" will line up with the tip of a leaf near the top of the wreath (whereas the right side of the letter "S" will line up with the leaf in the original version). The restirkes were produced years later between 1858-1861 for sale to collectors. The difference between the original strike vs first restrike vs second restrike is depicted below in the example comparison image.

Restrike - Small Berries - Reverse of 1840-1857

One major variety of the 1831 Classic Head Half Cent (Penny) features the second restrike version. The reverse of this coin features small berries on the wreath. The letters on the reverse are larger and there isn't a line or bar under the word "CENT" nor a dot in the center under the word "HALF". This was the reverse design used between 1840-1857. The restirkes were produced years later between 1858-1861 for sale to collectors. The difference between the original strike vs first restrike vs second restrike is depicted below in the example comparison image.