Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1796-1807
Mints: Philadelphia
Composition: Copper
Diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 10.89 grams
Total Mintage: approx. 16,069,270
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 Robert Scot the large cent had a composition of 100% copper. The obverse design depicts an idealized head of Liberty facing right, hair tied back with a ribbon and the inscription LIBERTY appears above the bust.
The reverse design has a laurel wreath of leaves and berries tied with a bow. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the fraction 1/100 surround the wreath, which encloses ONE CENT.
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 Draped Bust Cent is the earliest one cent coin that is both affordable and accessible to type set collectors. If you are looking for the highest possible grade but at the lowest price look for coins minted in 1805 or 1807 as these years had the largest mintages.