The US 1832 Half Cent, designed by John Reich, featured a classic portrait of Liberty on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. Struck in 100% copper, it reflected the nation’s reliance on copper for low-denomination coins. In 1832, the U.S. economy was stabilizing after the Panic of 1819, and the Half Cent served as a vital part of everyday transactions, especially for the working class.
Politically, the US 1832 Half Cent was minted during Andrew Jackson’s presidency, a time of political conflict, particularly over the Bank of the United States. The coins copper composition and design highlighted America’s growing independence from European monetary systems, while symbolizing both political and economic shifts in the early 19th century.