Articles about various Large Cent Pennies in U.S. History
The Large Cent (1793 - 1868)
1. Flowing Hair Chain (1793)
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The Chain Cent was America's first large cent. It was the first circulating coin officially produced by the U.S. Mint! This first version was only struck in 1793. This coin is made of Copper. The Obverse design consisted of a stylized Liberty Head with flowing hair. LIBERTY appears above the portrait with the date below. The design was sparse and pretty plain compared to coins that will come later.
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2. Flowing Hair Wreath (1793)
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The Wreath Cent was an American large cent. It was the 2nd design following the Chain Cent in 1793. It was only produced for one year.
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3. Liberty Cap (1793 - 1796)
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The coin features an image of the goddess of Liberty and her accompanying Phrygian cap. It was designed by Robert Scot. The mint created this type of cent in an attempt to satisfy the public objections to the chain cent and wreath cent. It appears to have been a little more successful than its precedents, as it was continued into 1797. Note: The planchets became too thin for the use of edge lettering on the coins, so coins from late 1795 onward have no edge lettering.
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4. Draped Bust (1796 - 1807)
The Draped Bust Cent designed by Robert Scot redesigned the whole of United States coinage for 1796, applying a new design featuring a bust of Liberty wearing a drapery at the neckline and a ribbon in her flowing hair. The reverse design shows an olive wreath. Note: Around 1860, an altered 1803 observe die (re-engraved "1804") and an 1820 reverse die were used to create several unofficial restrikes of the rare 1804 cent. While not genuine 1804 cents, they are sought after by coin collectors.
5. Classic Head Cents (1808 - 1814)
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Mint director Robert Patterson appointed John Reich to redesign Scot's Draped Bust cent (along with every circulating coin design). The copper used in Classic Head cents were minted with a higher quality and contained less metallic impurity. This made this cent softer and more prone to wear and corrode more quickly than issues before or after. High quality Classic Head cents are rare!
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6. Coronet Cents (1816 - 1857)
The Coronet Cent has two different types; Matron Head (1816 - 1839) and the Braided Hair (1839 - 1857 & 1868)
a. Matron Head (1816 - 1839)
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The Classic Head received public criticism so the mint assigned chief engraver Scot to redesign the cent in 1816. The newest design enlarged the obverse portrait and gave Lady Liberty a much more "mature" look. This started to be referred to as the "Matron Head" reference. Note: In the 1860s - 1870s several unofficial restrikes were made. The 1823 cent was restriked with a 1813 back. Coin collectors still collect this unofficial coin. Check your coin purses ladies and gentlemen.
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b. Braided Hair (1839 - 1857 & 1868)
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Facing yet again.... more negative public reactions (probably from Karen), the Coronet cent was redesigned in 1839 by new Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht. This new design gave Lady Liberty a more slimmer and youthful appearance. Note: In 1868 (11 years after the coin was discontinued), a mint employee coined several large cents dated 1868. About a dozen and a half of these unofficial issues, struck in both copper and nickel, are known to survive!
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Surplus Large Cents for sale! Good or better condition!
Do you have any Large cents? Here is a good collector folder for the Large Cent
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