The US 1849 Half Cent, designed by Christian Gobrecht, features a classic Liberty Head, reflecting early American ideals. Struck in copper, the US 1849 Half Cent represented the nation’s economic reliance on metal-backed currency during a time of growing industrialization and westward expansion.
In 1849, the California Gold Rush was underway, dramatically affecting the economy. The US 1849 Half Cent, though small in value, remained essential in daily transactions. Gobrecht’s design on the US 1849 Half Cent captured a sense of youthful optimism as the country navigated both economic growth and the political tensions leading toward the Civil War.