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Basic Information for United States

Large Cents 1793 - 1857

Click on any coin to see a lager view.

The grading information we have provided on this page for the coin series listed above is in general terms and is only intended to be used as a quick guide to determine the condition of your coin. For more precise information on Coin Grading we highly recommend one or more of the books Listed Below.

United States Large Cents were minted from 1793 to 1857. During that time period there were seven different major types that were issued. A major type is where the complete design of the coin has been changed. (Photographs of the major types and Grading information is located after the general information.)

The seven different major types are as follows:

• Flowing Hair - Chain Reverse - 1793.
• Flowing Hair - Wreath Reverse - 1793.
• Liberty Cap design, issued from 1793 to 1796.
• Draped Bust design, issued from 1796 to 1807.
• Classic Head design, issued from 1808 to 1814.
  
• Liberty Head (Matron) design, issued from 1816 to 1839.
• Liberty Head (Braided Hair) design, issued from 1839 to 1857.

Within each type there are many different varieties. For example: The 1793 Flowing Hair Chain reverse type has two different spellings for the word America in the legend on the reverse, AMERI and AMERICA. In just Good condition there is a difference of nearly two thousands dollars in price. In the 1793 Flowing Hair wreath reverse there are some that have a vine and bars edge and some that have a lettered edge. There is also one that is called "Strawberry Leaf" because it has strawberry leafs above the date, there are only four known examples of this extremely rare variety.

The Liberty Cap variety minted from 1793 to 1796 has quite a few varieties like the 1794 with the head design of a 1793, a 1794 with the head design of 1794, and a 1794 with the head design of the 1795 issue. The 1794 also has a variety with a starred reverse, and one with no fraction bar.

The above examples are just a small sampling of the numerous varieties there are within the U.S. Large cent series. There are also small and large date varieties, an abondance of various overdates, small and large fraction bar, with and without stems, plain "4" and crosslet "4" varieties, 13 and 15 star varieties, just to mention a few.

As you can plainly see there are far to many varieties to try to list them all here. So, I am confidient that you can plainly see how important it is to have a good reference book to aid you when searching for those scarcer and posibly rary varieties within the U.S. Large Cent series.

If you would like to learn more about the various varieties of U.S. Large Cents we suggest one of the books we have listed below. Learning about the different varieties before you sell could very well be a substantial difference in the price you receive.

All of the buy prices we have listed for U.S. Large Cents are for the most common variety. Yes! We do pay more for the scarcer varieties.

One of the best books available that has extensive information on the different types and varieties in the United States Large Cent series is "The Hand Book of United States Coins." The book features all U.S. from Colonial and early American coins, federal coins, commemoratives, Proof and Mint sets, die varieties, private and territorial gold, tokens, Presidential dollars, and much more! There are more than 24,000 prices for coins from 1616 to today, Historical information, Hundreds of actual-size photos, Grading and collecting tips, Detailed mintage records and much more. Order Your Copy Today!

Breen's Encyclopedia of Early Large Cents 1793 - 1814 You'll never find a more authoritative reference works on early U.S. large cents than Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early U.S. Large Cents from 1793 to 1814. This is a must have book for the serious collector of early U.S. large cents.

Penny Whimsy - By William Sheldon, Dorothy I. Pascal and Walter Breen Penny Whimsy by William H. Sheldon and the collaboration by Dorothy I. Paschal and Walter Breen in this reprint is considered to be the foremost authoritative volume on U.S. Large Cents from 1793 to 1814. Coins are listed using Sheldon's numbering system which is the standard today on many dealer's price list and auction catalogues.

United States Copper Cents 1816-1857 - By Newcomb Originally published in 1944 this new and revised edition of Newcomb's large cents 1816-1857 is considered to be the most authoritative reference works for identifying varieties within the large cent series for that time period.

United States Large Cents and Grading Information

Flowing Hair - Chain Reverse - Minted in 1793

Grading Standards for the Flowing Hair - Chain Reverse

AG - 3 About Good - The date and all of the devices are clear enough to identify.
G - 4 Good - The lettering is worn but readable. there is no detail on the bust.
VG - 8 Very Good - The date and lettering are distinct, and some details of the head are visable.
F - 12 Fine - About half of the hail and all other details are visable.
VF - 20 Very Fine - The ear and most all other details are visable.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - There is wear evident only on the highest points of the hair and back temple.

Flowing Hair - Wreath Reverse - Minted in 1793

Grading Standards for the Flowing Hair - Wreath Reverse

The grading on this type is the same as the Flowing Hair Chain type reverse.

Liberty Cap Type - Minted from 1793 to 1796

Grading Standards for the Liberty Cap Type

The grading on this type is the same as the Flowing Hair Chain and Wreath type reverse.

Draped Bust Type - Minted from 1796 to 1807

Grading Standards for the Draped Bust Type

 

 

 

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AG - 3 About Good - The date and all of the devices are clear enough to identify.
G - 4 Good - The lettering is worn but readable. there is no detail on the bust.
VG - 8 Very Good - The date and lettering are distinct, and some details of the head are visable.
F - 12 Fine - About half of the hail and all other details are visable.
VF - 20 Very Fine - The ear and most all other details are visable.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - There is wear evident only on the highest points of the hair and back temple.

 

 

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United States Half Cents and Grading Information

Liberty Cap - Head Facing Left - Minted in 1793

Of the several examples of this date we have had over the years I have chosen this example to show you, so I can emphasize not only the importance of the grade when determine the value but the overall condition of the coin. If you read the grading standards below for this year you will see that the coin is at least Very Good on the obverse and possibly a slightly higher grade on the reverse. But the coin has problems. As you can clearly see there are quite a few areas on the coin that are corroded. This may have occurred for a number of reasons; The dies that were used were rusted. The blank that it was made from may have been corroded. Or quite possibly, this coin may have been buried in the earth for a number of years before it was found.

Whatever the reason is, the point I want to make is that if a coin has any problems, such as corrosion, rim cuts or bruises, discoloration, had been cleaned, or anything else, it will not have nearly the value of a coin that is strictly problem free.

Grading Standards for the Liberty Cap - Head Facing Left - Minted in 1793

AG - 3 About Good - All details clear enough to identify.
G - 4 Good - The outline of bust of Liberty clear, but has no details. Date readable. Reverse lettering incomplete.
VG - 8 Very Good - Some hair details. Reverse lettering complete.
F - 12 Fine - Most of Liberty's hair detail shows. The reverse leaves are worn but all are visible.
VF - 20 Very Fine - Liberty's hair near her ear and forehead worn, other areas distinct. Some details in leaves show.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - Only light wear on highest parts of head and wreath.
AU - 50 About Uncirculated - Only a faint trace of wear shows on Liberty's face.

Liberty Cap - Head Facing Right - Minted From 1794 to 1797

There a number of different varieties in the Half Cents minted from 1794 to 1797, such as normal head, high-relief head, lettered edge, gripped edge, plain edge, and some other minor variations. The grading standards for this date range are the same as those above for the 1793 Half Cent. If you have any of these early Half Cents it would certainly be to your advantage to learn if you have any of the Scarce or even Extremely Rare varieties before you sell them.
See the two books we suggest you acquire!

Draped Bust - 1800 to 1808

There are a number of minor varieties within this date range. Such as: two different reverse designs on the 1802. A normal and a widely spaced "3" on the 1803 issue. The 1904 was issued both with and without stems to the reverse wreath. There is also a plain "4" and a crosslet "4" variety, and if that isn't enough to look for there is also one that has a "spiked chin," which was caused by a die break. In the 1805 issue there is a small, medium, and large date. The 1806 issue came with and without stems as well as a large and small "6" in the date. Nothing to mention about the issue of 1807 but when you get to the 1808 date, well, it just might be a "8" over a "7" overdate.

With the multitude of varieties, date variations and overdates within the U.S. Half Cent series I am sure you can greatly appreciate the importance of having a good book on the subject. Books we suggest!

Good	Very Good	Fine	Very Fine

Grading Standards for the Draped Bust Type - Minted from 1800 to 1808

AG - 3 About Good - All detail clear enough to identify.
G - 4 Good - Outline of bust is clear, but lacks details, date readable. Reverse lettering worn and incomplete.
VG - 8 Very Good - Some of Liberty's drapery visible. date and legends are all complete.
F - 12 Fine - Liberty's shoulder drapery and hair over brow worn smooth.
VF - 20 Very Fine - There is only slight wear in previously mentioned areas. Slight wear on the reverse.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - Only light wear on highest parts of head and wreath.
AU - 50 About Uncirculated - Only slight wear on Liberty's hair above forehead.

Classic Head - 1809 to 1836

As far as varieties within this type there are not nearly as many as the earlier issues. The 1809 came with a normal date, a small "0" inside the "0" in the date, and one that has a "9" over an inverted "9" in the date. The 1811 issue came with both a wide and a narrow date. And the 1828 issue has a variety with 12 stars on the obverse and another with 13 stars on the obverse.

Good	Very Good	Fine	Very Fine	Extremely Fine

Grading Standards for the Classic Head Type - Minted from 1809 to 1836

G - 4 Good - LIBERTY is only partly visibly on Liberty's hair band. Lettering, date, stars, worn but visible
VG - 8 Very Good - The LIBERTY is entirely visible on hair band. Lower curls are worn.
F - 12 Fine - There is only partial wear on LIBERTY, and Liberty's hair at top is worn in spots.
VF - 20 Very Fine - All lettering is clear-cut. Liberty's hair only slightly worn.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - Only light wear on highest points of Liberty's hair and reverse leaves.
AU - 50 About Uncirculated - Sharp hair detail with only a slight trace of wear on higher points.
MS - 60 Uncirculated - Typical chocolate brown to red surface. No trace of wear.

Braided Hair - 1840 to 1857

The amount of Half Cents minted from 1840 to 1857 are rather low compared to most of the previous years. Mintage figures range from roughly 35,000 to 55,000 per year with the exception of the 1851 which has a mintage of 147,672, and the 1853 with a mintage of 129,694 pieces.

Coins are minted to meet the needs of commerce in making change. With these low mintages it tells me that there wasn't much need for Half Cents back in that time period. More than likely they were loosing their purchasing power and were being fazed out by merchants that just adjusted the price upward on an item to a full cent.

Another way I can tell that there wasn't much of a demand for Half Cents is the fact that the vast majority of the Braided Hair Half Cents we have purchased over the years are generally in the higher grades like Very Fine and Extremely Fine, which also proves that they did not circulate all that much.

There are no varieties or overdates in this date range. There are however some Restrike's that were issued from the Mint for the years 1840 to 1849. All of the restrike's are in Proof condition.

Very Good	Fine	Very Fine	Extremely Fine	About Unc.

Grading Standards for the Braided Hair Type - Minted from 1840 - 1857

VG - 8 Very Good - Beads in Liberty's hair uniformly distinct. Hair lines visible in spots.
F - 12 Fine - Liberty's hair lines above ear worn. Beads are sharp.
VF - 20 Very Fine - Only the lowest curl worn; hair otherwise distinct.
EF - 40 Extremely Fine - Only light wear on the highest points of hair and leaves.
AU - 50 About Uncirculated - Only a very slight trace of wear on hair above Liberty's ear.
MS - 60 Uncirculated - Absolutely no trace of wear. Typical chocolate brown to red surface with clear luster.

The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards - By Bressett
Official American Numismatic Association grading standards for every United States coin. One of the industries standards for grading coins.

Grading Coins by Photographs - By Q. David Bowers
In Grading Coins by Photographs, Q. David Bowers has crafted a unique combination of step-by-step grading instructions for every federal coinage series from half cents to double eagles, plus information on the history and importance of grading; expert grading techniques;understanding the surfaces of coins; and smart grading and buying. His insightful text is combined with high-resolution color photographs for each grade, plus Proofs.

Insider Guide - Grading United States Coins
The Insider Guide to Grading United States Coins covers all the basics you need to learn to be able to speak-and more importantly, think-like a grading insider.

Making The Grade - Coin World
From the editors of Coin World and Coin Values comes one of the easiest to use guides in determining and assessing a coins grade. Each coin series listed features high quality, full-color, detailed photos with grade descriptions and pinpoint areas to inspect. Design high points are highlighted to indicate areas of wear. Visual impairment severity levels are identified by color maps. This is an excellent book for those that seriously desire to advance their grading skills or avoid being stung when purchasing coins!

Official Guide to Coin Grading & Counterfeit Detection - By PCG - Travers & Dannreuther
This is the guide that explains, illustrates, and sets the standard for grading all United States coins. Complete with section on counterfeit coin detection.

Photograde - By James Ruddy
The single most useful book you can own to learn the essentials of coin grading.

NGC Grading Guide For Modern U.S. Coins - By R. Montgomeery & D. Lange
The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation is the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatist Guild. The NGC grades countless coins and now it shares years of experience and knowledge with all collectors as it teaches you to identify and grade coins in this informative and easy-to-read instructional guide.

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