Classic Head Cent: 1808-1814

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Quick Coinage Facts

Years Minted: 1808-1814
Mints: Philadelphia
Composition: Copper
Diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 10.89 grams
Total Mintage: approx. 4,757,722
Edge: Smooth

Introduction

Because of it's rather large size compared to modern cent coins, collectors commonly call cents minted from 1793 to 1857 Large Cents.

Designed by John Reich the large cent had a composition of 100% copper. The obverse design depicted Liberty facing left, her curled hair tied with a band inscribed LIBERTY and cascading over her ear to the base of her bust. Seven stars are to the left of the bust and six to the right representing the original 13 colonies or states of the union.

The reverse shows a wreath encircling the denomination ONE CENT, with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding the wreath at the rim.

There are no mint marks as the Philadelphia mint was the only mint during that time period so there were was no need.

General Market Notes

The Classic Head Cent has mintages drastically larger than its predecessors which make collectible grades of fine to very fines affordable and accessible to type set collectors.

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