Large Cent History & Collecting Guide

Overview

Large Cents were authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 as the one-cent denomination. For 64 years, these substantial coins circulated throughout America, witnessing the growth of the young republic from 13 states to a continental nation. Today, they're prized by collectors for their historical importance, artistic merit, and fascinating varieties.

Specifications:

• Denomination: 1 cent
• Years Minted: 1793-1857
• Composition: 100% copper
• Weight: 13.48 grams (208 grains) 1793-1795, 10.89 grams (168 grains) 1795-1857
• Diameter: 26-29mm depending on year and type
• Edge: Varied by type - lettered, plain, or reeded

Design Types

Chain Cent (1793)

The first cents struck at the U.S. Mint featured the Chain reverse - a circular chain of 15 links representing the states (13 original plus Vermont and Kentucky). The obverse showed Liberty with wild, flowing hair. This design was quickly criticized; some felt Liberty looked frightened, and the chain symbolized slavery rather than unity.

Key facts:

• Mintage: 36,103 total (AMERICA spelling) and 63,353 (AMERI spelling)
• Three varieties: AMERICA, AMERI., and periods after date
• Produced for only about 6 weeks before being replaced
• Among the most historically important American coins
• Even problem examples command strong prices due to extreme significance

Wreath Cent (1793)

The Wreath Cent replaced the Chain design in mid-1793. Liberty's portrait was refined, appearing less wild, and the reverse featured a simple wreath instead of the controversial chain. This design also had a short production run before being replaced by the Liberty Cap type.

Notable features:

• Two edge types: Vine and bars, or lettered "ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR"
• Strawberry leaf variety (1793) - extremely rare, possibly experimental
• Total mintage approximately 63,353
• Last of the 1793-dated Large Cents

Liberty Cap Cent (1793-1796)

Joseph Wright's Liberty Cap design showed Liberty wearing a liberty cap on a pole. The design evolved from Liberty facing right (1793-1796) to facing left (1794 only, extremely rare). The 1793 Liberty Cap cents featured the lettered edge "ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR."

Collecting points:

• 1793: Liberty facing right, continuation from late in the year
• 1794: Some facing right, rare specimens facing left ("starred reverse")
• 1795: Various edge types including lettered, plain, and reeded
• 1796: Final year, including the famous "Liberty Error" variety
• Weight reduction mid-1795 from 208 grains to 168 grains

Draped Bust Cent (1796-1807)

Robert Scot's Draped Bust design, matching the motif used on other silver denominations, appeared on Large Cents from 1796 to 1807. The design went through two reverse types: Small Eagle (1796-1797) and Heraldic Eagle (1800-1807). No cents were struck in 1798-1799.

Major varieties:

• 1796-1797: Draped Bust with small eagle reverse, scarce
• 1800-1807: Heraldic eagle reverse with shield
• 1801: Three reverse varieties, some with fraction 1/000
• 1804: Numerous die varieties highly sought by specialists
• Varieties: Sheldon numbers catalogue hundreds of die varieties

The Sheldon numbering system, developed by Dr. William Sheldon in the 1940s, catalogs die varieties for 1793-1814 Large Cents. Serious collectors often pursue specific Sheldon numbers, with some commanding significant premiums.

Classic Head Cent (1808-1814)

John Reich's Classic Head design marked a departure from previous styles. Liberty wears a ribbon inscribed "LIBERTY" in her hair, and the reverse features a wreath surrounding the denomination. This shorter series is popular with type collectors.

Series highlights:

• 1808: First year, single die marriage
• 1809: Highest mintage of the type (over 222,000)
• 1810-1814: Lower mintages, some years quite scarce
• 1811: Particularly scarce, fewer than 100,000 struck
• Varieties exist but less extensively collected than earlier types

Coronet/Matron Head Cent (1816-1839)

After a brief hiatus during the War of 1812 (no cents struck 1815), production resumed in 1816 with Robert Scot's Coronet or "Matron Head" design. Liberty wears a coronet inscribed "LIBERTY." This long-lived design went through several modifications:

• 1816-1835: Various modifications to portrait and stars
• 1816-1820: 13 stars on obverse
• 1821-1857: Stars reduced, various style changes
• 1826-1827: Some of the scarcest dates in the entire series
• Newcomb numbers: Varieties catalogued by Howard Newcomb

Braided Hair Cent (1839-1857)

Christian Gobrecht's final redesign of the Large Cent featured a more youthful Liberty with braided hair bound with beads. This elegant design concluded the Large Cent era. The series is known for its many varieties and relatively higher mintages compared to earlier types.

Collecting considerations:

• 1839-1857: Most affordable Large Cent type for beginning collectors
• 1843: Both "Petite Head" and "Mature Head" varieties
• 1844/81: Interesting overdate variety
• 1855: Upright 5s and slanting 5s varieties
• 1857: Final year of Large Cent production, higher collector demand
• Condition rarity: Many dates scarce in high grades despite large mintages

The Braided Hair cents saw much heavier circulation than earlier types, making high-grade examples particularly desirable. The 1857 Small Date is the final Large Cent, struck in the same year the Flying Eagle Small Cent was introduced.

Historical Significance

Economic Role

Large Cents circulated extensively in early America, serving as the workhorse denomination for everyday transactions. At a time when a skilled laborer might earn $1-2 per day, cents were significant units of currency. These coins literally passed through the hands of the Founding Fathers and witnessed American history unfold.

Minting Technology Evolution

Large Cents reflect the technological evolution of the U.S. Mint:

• Early years (1793-1795): Hand-cut dies with tremendous variation
• Screw press era: Coins struck one at a time with manual power
• Steam power (1836): More consistent strikes but still individual dies
• Quality improvements: Gradual refinement of planchet preparation and striking

The End of an Era

By the 1850s, Large Cents faced several problems:

• Bulky and inconvenient compared to their purchasing power
• Rising copper costs made them expensive to produce
• Public dissatisfaction with their size and weight
• Frequent counterfeiting due to intrinsic copper value

The Coinage Act of 1857 eliminated the Large Cent and Half Cent, replacing them with the smaller Flying Eagle Cent composed of copper-nickel. The last Large Cents were struck in 1857, ending a 64-year chapter in American numismatics.

Collecting Large Cents

Type Set Collecting

A Large Cent type set typically includes:

1. Chain Cent (1793) - Most expensive, key to any set
2. Wreath Cent (1793) - Also very expensive
3. Liberty Cap (1793-1796) - Challenging but achievable
4. Draped Bust, Small Eagle (1796-1797) - Scarce
5. Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle (1800-1807) - Moderate difficulty
6. Classic Head (1808-1814) - Obtainable
7. Coronet/Matron Head (1816-1839) - Readily available
8. Braided Hair (1839-1857) - Most affordable, excellent starting point

Date Collecting

Complete date sets present various challenges:

• 1793 types: Expensive foundation pieces
• 1799: None made - gap in date runs
• 1815: None made due to War of 1812
• 1823/2: Famous and valuable overdate
• 1856: Upright 5 and slanting 5 varieties, both needed

Variety Collecting

Large Cent variety collecting is a specialized field:

• Sheldon numbers: Standard for 1793-1814 varieties
• Newcomb numbers: Catalogue for 1816-1839 Matron Head cents
• Noyes numbers: System for Braided Hair cents
• Die states: Early, middle, and late die states affect value
• Rarity ratings: R-1 (common) through R-8 (unique)

Grading and Condition

Large Cent grading requires special knowledge:

• Copper characteristics: Porosity, corrosion, and verdigris common
• Color designations: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), Brown (BN)
• Cleaning: Many old Large Cents were cleaned; original surfaces premium
• Strike quality: Early cents often weakly struck; not necessarily a grade detractor
• Environmental damage: Watch for ground finds with surface deterioration

Investment and Value

Large Cents represent excellent numismatic value:

• Historical significance drives demand beyond pure collector interest
• Early types (1793) have shown exceptional long-term appreciation
• High-grade examples increasingly scarce as grading standards evolve
• Die variety market remains strong among specialists
• Braided Hair cents offer affordable entry into early copper collecting

Famous Rarities and Key Dates

Some of the most significant Large Cents include:

• 1793 Chain AMERI.: First cents ever struck, extreme rarity
• 1793 Strawberry Leaf: Mysterious variety, possibly experimental, 3-4 known
• 1794 Starred Reverse: Unique variety with stars on reverse
• 1799: None made - important gap for date collectors
• 1804: Numerous scarce die varieties
• 1823/2: Popular overdate, expensive in any grade
• 1839/6: Dramatic overdate variety
• Various Sheldon rarities: S-NC (Not Collectable/Unique) varieties worth six figures