The 1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent is easily the rarest date of the series and overall denomination with only 1,390 pieces produced. Of this scant number, most surviving examples are well worn and barely recognizable. Others are heavily corroded or damaged. Incredibly, a couple of Mint State examples have survived, but supply is very low and demand is high.
The date comes in two varieties, either with or without a pole in front of Liberty’s neck. The no pole variety usually comes in lower grades, and is virtually unknown above Fine. The with pole variety is somewhat more available, but still very rare and seldom offered.