1808
This year, James Madison was elected president and George Clinton vice-president on the Democratic-Republican ticket. Congress tried to enforce the Embargo Act, but met with stiff opposition from farmers and merchants. Smuggling increased drastically. John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company, the first of several western companies he would start. Congress also prohibited the importation of African slaves this year
In Europe, Napoleon invaded Spain and made his brother, Joseph, king. The Spaniards revolted. This invasion set the stage for separatist movements in Mexico and South America. Napoleon also ended the Inquisition in Spain and Italy. The British landed in Portugal and freed the city of Lisbon. This year, Beethoven composed his Fifth Symphony, the source of the Ganges River is discovered, and extensive excavations were begun at Pompeii in Italy.
This year saw the introduction of a new style for the cent. This style is commonly called "Classic Head" or "Turban Head." The obverse shows Liberty wearing a headband and facing left. The reverse has a continuous wreath of leaves. Both designs were done by John Reich. The mint reported delivering 1,109,000 cents in 1808. Some of these were probably dated 1807. Three varieties of cents (S-277 through S-279) are known for this year. Half cents for this year retained the old "Draped Bust" style. A total of 400,000 half cents were delivered in 1808. This number probably includes half cents dated 1804 through 1807. At the end of the year, the Mint still had 356,930 struck half cents on hand. Three varieties of half cent, C-1 through C-3, are known for this year.
The nicest coins in the national collection for this year are C-3 (3) and S-277.