1833 Classic Head Half Cent. C-1. Rarity-5 as a Proof. Proof-63 BN (NGC). An impressive and rare Proof half cent with attractive olive-brown and rose-gold toning. Excellent reflectivity in the fields and lightly frosted devices create a somewhat cameo appearance. Strong eye appeal for the grade level, a few tiny and as-made planchet flakes and strike throughs on the obverse as well as some barely perceptible hairlines on both sides are all that limit the grade. Only a single die pairing is known for the 1833 Classic Head half cent and it was used to strike both Proofs and circulation strikes. The Proofs were undoubtedly produced first. Exactly how many of these specially prepared coins were struck is unknown since Mint personnel did not record the mintages of Proof coins during that era. Rick Coleman included only five examples in his census, while Walter Breen (1983) estimated that "at least fifty proofs [sic] survive" and went on to opine, "These may have been made in large quantities to celebrate the opening of the new Mint, which commenced in January, 1833." PCGS CoinFacts provides an estimate of 30 to 40 coins extant in all grades.
