The 1831 half cent is somewhat controversial as a business strike. While mint reports of the time recorded a mintage of 2,200 coins, only a handful are known today and many experts believe that they are all proof strikes. NGC and PCGS have concluded that all coins are Proof format. However, other experts including Christopher McCawley believe that enough coins were released into circulation and now exist without distinctive proof surfaces to merit the fact that some were struck as business strikes. Regardless, the CDN considers the values to be the same for MS and PR designated coins.
| coinage-type | Classic Head |
| desg | MS |
| designer | John Reich |
| diameter | 23.5 |
| edge | Plain Edge |
| material | Copper |
| mintage | 2,200 |
| ngc-id | 2236 |
| obverse-description | Lady Liberty is portrayed with a capped bonnet, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called classic head style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear left and right in a 7x6 formation. |
| pcgs-link | 1156 |
| pcgs-number | 1156 |
| reverse-description | The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words HALF CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom. |
| weight-grams | 5.44 |
| year-display | 1809-1836 |