1855 Half Cent Die Clash Maybe

Agree, this is post-mint damage.

I have a large cent that had the E modified to a U in the same way. Some people have a lot of time on their hands.

That is an altered cent. It was done intentional for a purpose that I can't relate here in detail. It was a coin that was altered to purchase, for services rendered. (best description I can give here)

Question of the day?
Why did the U.S. mint make 1/2 cents?
Answer hidden below so highlight the open space:
I the 1800's postage to send a letter was once cent. But to send a post card, it only cost a h1/2 cent. So in order to make change from buying just one post card, a 1/2 cent was needed to make change for that transaction.
Between these two lines in the open space.

Hay Coop Please dont type in white

Sorry but I think Coop's fact isn't a fact. Postcards didn't exist that early and the rate for a single folded sheet of paper was 6 cents for up to 30 miles. Even if postcards did exist I couldn't see them being a 1/2 cent when a single sheet of paper was 6 cents. This was in 1792 the year the first Half Cents were struck. Postage rates was actually rather high back then.

Rates 1792 - 1863 can be seen here https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/p...792-1863.pdf

The official reason for the Half Cent as I understand it was so the poor would have a small coin for making purchases. You could get a fair amount for a cent back then, so the idea thatit would be easier on the poor to have a Half Cent makes some sense.

I'm inclined to agree with Condor101 on the reason for the Half Cent being made. It was for the common folk to be able to have a spendable coin in the pocket for things like food or small supplies.

Most stores people had an account they charged good against and paid off each month or week, little purchases were made by children in cash like Half Cents for candy.