Large Cent
Large Cent
The large cent is one of the earliest coins in American history, coming out, as did the half cent, during the rule of the country’s first President. However, the first version of the coin was by no means greeted with joyous fanfare, due to public interpretation of its design.
The first version of large cent was called the Flowing Hair Chain Cent. On the head side of the large cent, Liberty (the female personification of freedom) appeared in profile with flowing, disordered hair, looking more like a victim than a victor. On the reverse side, the phrase “One Cent” was surrounded by a chain, not a popular image with a country quite proud of its recent independence.
The design changes of large cent did not take place all at once. The chain on the reverse side of the large cent was the first to go, and a wreath surrounded the phrase “One Cent” instead. However, the public was still not satisfied, and Liberty herself soon got a makeover.
Her hair was arranged in a coronet, denoting not just calmness, but power. Liberty was no longer embattled, but had settled in as a guiding ideal in American life and politics.
The name “Large Cent” is no exaggeration. In the earliest decades, the coins were made of over 13 grams of copper, downsizing only slightly later on to 10 grams. However, the size was not the only feature that changed.
Even after the initial design change of large cent, the appearance of Liberty evolved over the years. After the Flowing Hair Wreath Cent (both with and without the chain) came the Draped Bust Cent, the Classic Head Cent, the Liberty Head Cent, and the Braided Hair Cent.
Large Cent Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1793-1857)
| Date/Type | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | XF40 | AU50 | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowing Hair Chain | ||||||||||
| *1793 AMERI. Leg. BN | $9,300 | $16,880 | $23,690 | $45,630 | $76,880 | $104,380 | $123,130 | $137,500 | $159,380 | $168,750 |
| *1793 AMERICA BN | $6,990 | $10,810 | $19,060 | $33,130 | $58,130 | $78,130 | $85,630 | $114,380 | $128,130 | $146,880 |
| Flowing Hair Wreath | ||||||||||
| *1793 Vine & Bars BN | $1,920 | $3,420 | $5,470 | $8,310 | $14,380 | $22,500 | $26,880 | $30,630 | $33,750 | $36,880 |
| *1793 Lettered Edge BN | $2,100 | $3,540 | $6,060 | $9,310 | $16,560 | $24,560 | $26,250 | $31,250 | $36,880 | $40,630 |
| ***1793 Strawberry BN | $180,000 | $294,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Liberty Cap | ||||||||||
| *1793 Liberty Cap BN | $7,310 | $11,190 | $21,880 | $44,380 | $65,630 | $101,880 | $125,000 | $200,000 | -- | -- |
| *1794 Head of 1793 BN | $1,590 | $2,280 | $4,720 | $13,310 | $20,630 | $25,630 | $26,880 | $30,310 | $35,630 | -- |
| 1794 Head of 1794 BN | $420 | $630 | $970 | $2,040 | $4,160 | $6,910 | $7,690 | $9,410 | $11,190 | $13,130 |
| 1794 Head of 1794 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1794 Head of 1795 BN | $420 | $570 | $870 | $2,100 | $4,190 | $6,560 | $7,440 | $8,090 | $9,690 | $10,940 |
| **1794 Starred Rev BN | $17,060 | $30,630 | $41,880 | $56,250 | $175,000 | $375,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1795 Lettered Edge BN | $480 | $600 | $980 | $2,010 | $4,810 | $7,310 | $7,780 | $8,310 | $8,810 | $10,630 |
| 1795 Plain Edge BN | $390 | $600 | $810 | $1,470 | $3,440 | $4,940 | $5,690 | $6,410 | $7,190 | $9,060 |
| **1795 Jefferson Hd. BN | $17,400 | $25,630 | $32,190 | $45,000 | $78,130 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1796 BN | $408 | $570 | $840 | $2,190 | $4,440 | $9,060 | $11,810 | $15,630 | $19,060 | $26,880 |
| Draped Bust | ||||||||||
| 1796 Dr. Bust Rev 94 BN | $420 | $750 | $1,380 | $2,700 | $5,690 | $10,660 | $13,130 | $16,880 | -- | -- |
| 1796 Rev of 1796 BN | $330 | $510 | $870 | $2,460 | $4,940 | $8,130 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1796 Rev of 1797 BN | -- | $270 | $780 | $1,110 | $2,810 | $3,810 | $4,340 | $4,840 | -- | -- |
| 1796 LIHERTY Error BN | $450 | $588 | $1,350 | $3,540 | $7,940 | $13,130 | $14,810 | $19,690 | $31,250 | -- |
| 1797 Gp. Ed. '96 Rev BN | $270 | $420 | $650 | $1,710 | $3,030 | $3,940 | $4,720 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1797 Pl. Ed. '96 Rev BN | $168 | $360 | $600 | $1,050 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1797 '97 Rev Stems BN | $150 | $270 | $630 | $1,110 | $1,810 | $3,310 | $3,500 | $3,780 | $4,440 | $4,940 |
| 1797 '97 Rev Stmls. BN | $204 | $390 | $1,020 | $1,470 | $3,690 | $16,880 | $19,380 | $28,130 | $30,940 | $34,380 |
| 1798 8 over 7 BN | $270 | $360 | $750 | $1,740 | $4,090 | $9,810 | $11,560 | $17,190 | $26,880 | -- |
| 1798 Rev of 1796 BN | $168 | $384 | $900 | $1,170 | $4,810 | $7,190 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1798 1st Hair Style BN | $84 | $210 | $420 | $810 | $2,190 | $3,560 | $4,560 | $5,560 | $7,340 | $8,440 |
| 1798 2nd Hair Style BN | $82 | $150 | $360 | $760 | $1,770 | $2,750 | $3,310 | $3,470 | $4,590 | $5,130 |
| *1799 9 over 8 BN | $3,930 | $11,400 | $20,630 | $31,880 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| *1799 BN | $3,420 | $5,340 | $15,310 | $29,060 | $45,630 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1800/98 Style 1 Hair BN | $138 | $300 | $780 | $1,740 | $3,940 | $5,530 | $6,560 | $7,690 | $9,380 | -- |
| 1800 80/79 St. 2 Hair BN | $120 | $234 | $390 | $1,110 | $2,430 | $4,910 | $5,630 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1800 Normal Date BN | $82 | $180 | $330 | $820 | $1,830 | $2,720 | $3,280 | $5,440 | $7,190 | $10,310 |
| 1801 Normal Rev BN | $72 | $103 | $300 | $540 | $1,710 | $2,660 | $3,590 | $5,000 | $7,690 | $10,630 |
| 1801 3 Errors BN | $190 | $480 | $1,500 | $3,300 | $6,470 | $8,630 | $11,560 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1801 Fraction 1/000 BN | $69 | $144 | $270 | $870 | $2,220 | $4,380 | $5,000 | $6,060 | $6,880 | -- |
| 1801 1/100 ov. 1/000 BN | $104 | $222 | $300 | $900 | $1,230 | $4,660 | $5,310 | $8,440 | -- | -- |
| 1802 Normal Rev BN | $69 | $113 | $222 | $408 | $1,320 | $1,920 | $2,130 | $2,840 | $3,280 | $3,560 |
| 1802 Fraction 1/000 BN | $81 | $180 | $420 | $750 | $1,740 | $2,820 | $3,180 | $5,310 | $7,280 | -- |
| 1802 Stemless Wr. BN | $68 | $98 | $270 | $420 | $1,260 | $2,220 | $2,460 | $3,090 | $3,690 | $5,190 |
| 1803 Sm. Dt. Sm. Fr. BN | $66 | $107 | $240 | $420 | $960 | $1,650 | $1,770 | $2,440 | $2,970 | $3,750 |
| 1803 Sm. Dt. Lg. Fr. BN | $59 | $81 | $210 | $408 | $990 | $1,350 | $1,590 | $2,190 | $2,590 | $3,440 |
| *1803 Lg. Dt. Sm. Fr. BN | $6,000 | $10,630 | $19,380 | $25,800 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1803 Lg. Dt. Lg. Fr. BN | $108 | $264 | $510 | $990 | $1,900 | $5,310 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1803 1/100 ov. 1/000 BN | $63 | $168 | $300 | $900 | $1,590 | $1,810 | $1,950 | $2,310 | -- | -- |
| 1803 Stemless Wr. BN | -- | $127 | $360 | $540 | $1,470 | $2,280 | $2,670 | $3,840 | $5,160 | $6,560 |
| *1804 BN | $1,710 | $2,820 | $3,780 | $7,620 | $11,060 | $15,630 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1804 Res. (1860) BN | -- | -- | $480 | $540 | $570 | $630 | $660 | $690 | $720 | $810 |
| 1805 BN | $63 | $92 | $240 | $510 | $1,230 | $2,010 | $2,430 | $3,090 | $4,060 | $4,340 |
| 1806 BN | $67 | $115 | $360 | $910 | $1,620 | $2,700 | $2,970 | $3,300 | $4,690 | $7,060 |
| 1807 Sm. 7/ 6 Bl. 1 BN | -- | $5,310 | $8,130 | $23,130 | $33,130 | $62,500 | $70,630 | $106,250 | -- | -- |
| 1807 Lg. 7/6 BN | $69 | $144 | $330 | $510 | $1,290 | $1,890 | $2,100 | $3,090 | $3,940 | $5,130 |
| 1807 Sm. Fraction BN | $83 | $144 | $334 | $630 | $1,060 | $1,620 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1807 Lg. Fraction BN | $69 | $95 | $184 | $450 | $840 | $1,500 | $2,010 | $3,440 | $4,090 | $4,380 |
| 1807 Comet Variety BN | $86 | $150 | $300 | $750 | $3,060 | $4,350 | $4,650 | $6,060 | $7,310 | $9,380 |
| Classic Head | ||||||||||
| 1808 Classic Head BN | $67 | $132 | $390 | $500 | $1,830 | $2,790 | $2,970 | $3,910 | $5,340 | $7,030 |
| 1809 BN | $115 | $345 | $600 | $1,180 | $2,760 | $4,020 | $4,380 | $5,630 | $6,910 | $9,060 |
| 1810 10 over 09 BN | $69 | $115 | $300 | $780 | $2,310 | $3,180 | $3,510 | $4,720 | $6,560 | $12,500 |
| 1810 Normal Date BN | $51 | $98 | $300 | $600 | $1,140 | $2,220 | $2,790 | $3,660 | $4,090 | $4,560 |
| 1811 1 over 0 BN | $150 | $345 | $1,110 | $1,530 | $4,380 | $8,750 | $9,780 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1811 Normal Date BN | $108 | $230 | $420 | $990 | $2,340 | $4,470 | $5,310 | $5,940 | $6,410 | $7,060 |
| 1812 Sm. Date BN | $60 | $92 | $240 | $660 | $1,050 | $1,500 | $1,940 | $2,470 | $2,660 | $3,440 |
| 1812 Lg. Date BN | $55 | $104 | $270 | $750 | $1,120 | $1,890 | $2,470 | $2,970 | $3,940 | $4,190 |
| 1813 BN | $86 | $144 | $360 | $750 | $1,290 | $2,730 | $3,160 | $4,190 | $5,000 | $5,590 |
| 1814 Plain 4 BN | $83 | $138 | $318 | $720 | $1,020 | $2,370 | $2,810 | $3,220 | $4,840 | $5,280 |
| 1814 Crosslet 4 BN | $63 | $108 | $270 | $640 | $930 | $2,010 | $2,250 | $2,780 | $3,440 | $4,690 |
| Coronet Head | ||||||||||
| 1816 Coronet Head BN | $29 | $33 | $46 | $98 | $240 | $300 | $330 | $390 | $450 | $480 |
| 1817 13 Stars BN | $23 | $29 | $43 | $78 | $216 | $276 | $288 | $330 | $372 | $390 |
| 1817 15 Stars BN | $31 | $46 | $76 | $230 | $630 | $960 | $1,050 | $1,410 | $1,740 | $2,470 |
| 1818 BN | $22 | $31 | $40 | $89 | $144 | $210 | $228 | $258 | $270 | $300 |
| 1819 9 over 8 BN | $28 | $43 | $62 | $132 | $300 | $450 | $510 | $570 | $640 | $720 |
| 1819 Lg. Date BN | $25 | $32 | $48 | $86 | $213 | $300 | $336 | $390 | $450 | $480 |
| 1819 Sm. Date BN | $22 | $28 | $37 | $67 | $196 | $222 | $252 | $330 | $462 | $510 |
| 1820 20 over 19 BN | $30 | $37 | $53 | $156 | $480 | $570 | $600 | $690 | $910 | $1,130 |
| 1820 Lg. Date BN | $21 | $26 | $35 | $66 | $150 | $190 | $210 | $222 | $270 | $300 |
| 1820 Sm. Date BN | -- | -- | -- | $150 | -- | $830 | $930 | $990 | $1,050 | $1,080 |
| 1821 BN | $54 | $86 | $270 | $630 | $1,260 | $2,190 | $2,490 | $3,310 | $4,810 | $7,500 |
| 1821 Proof BN | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $8,440 |
| 1822 BN | $29 | $40 | $82 | $144 | $300 | $540 | $600 | $780 | $910 | $1,210 |
| 1823 3 over 2 BN | $72 | $180 | $390 | $1,030 | $2,060 | $4,160 | $4,560 | $6,690 | $7,190 | -- |
| 1823 BN | $78 | $210 | $450 | $1,130 | $2,670 | $8,050 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1823 Res. BN | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,100 |
| 1824 4 over 2 BN | $29 | $40 | $83 | $450 | $1,140 | $1,980 | $2,250 | $2,850 | $4,380 | $5,440 |
| 1824 BN | $21 | $35 | $61 | $161 | $390 | $1,080 | $1,230 | $1,320 | $1,830 | $2,040 |
| 1825 BN | $21 | $26 | $69 | $178 | $480 | $860 | $900 | $990 | $1,140 | $1,530 |
| 1826 6 over 5 BN | $37 | $75 | $201 | $450 | $990 | $1,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1826 BN | $21 | $26 | $51 | $127 | $306 | $390 | $426 | $492 | $576 | $750 |
| 1827 BN | $23 | $29 | $43 | $109 | $210 | $300 | $420 | $450 | $558 | $660 |
| 1828 BN | $24 | $32 | $43 | $115 | $282 | $360 | $420 | $540 | $600 | $840 |
| 1829 BN | $21 | $31 | $49 | $138 | $330 | $600 | $680 | $820 | $1,050 | $1,290 |
| 1830 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $71 | $184 | $276 | $312 | $510 | $570 | $620 |
| 1831 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $60 | $178 | $252 | $300 | $348 | $390 | $450 |
| 1832 BN | $21 | $26 | $32 | $60 | $161 | $198 | $222 | $270 | $300 | $360 |
| 1833 BN | $24 | $29 | $32 | $67 | $155 | $240 | $282 | $318 | $342 | $390 |
| 1834 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $60 | $196 | $222 | $240 | $264 | $390 | $450 |
| 1834 Lg. 8 St/Rev Lt BN | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,020 | $1,140 | $1,910 | $2,160 | $2,380 |
| 1834 Lg. 8 St Med Lt BN | $210 | $290 | -- | -- | $2,730 | $3,940 | $4,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1835 BN | $23 | $29 | $35 | $69 | $150 | $204 | $216 | $228 | $270 | $330 |
| 1836 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $66 | $100 | $192 | $198 | $222 | $240 | $270 |
| 1837 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $63 | $100 | $192 | $210 | $228 | $240 | $270 |
| 1838 BN | $21 | $26 | $31 | $63 | $112 | $198 | $216 | $228 | $252 | $264 |
| 1838 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $276 |
| 1839 9/6 Pl. Cord BN | $210 | $480 | $1,350 | $2,370 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1839 Booby Head BN | $21 | $29 | $40 | $86 | $360 | $450 | $480 | $600 | $690 | $720 |
| 1839 Silly Head BN | $24 | $33 | $46 | $84 | $230 | $450 | $530 | $576 | $660 | $750 |
| 1839 Petite Head BN | $21 | $29 | $38 | $69 | $110 | $192 | $200 | $260 | $280 | $300 |
| 1839 Cor. BN | $21 | $29 | $38 | $69 | $120 | $265 | $293 | $316 | $402 | $450 |
| Braided Hair | ||||||||||
| 1839 Braided Hair BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $59 | $74 | $156 | $168 | $180 | $240 | -- |
| 1840 BN | $20 | $22 | $29 | $39 | $78 | $168 | $180 | $210 | $270 | $300 |
| 1841 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $51 | $120 | $264 | $288 | $300 | $330 | $360 |
| 1842 Sm. Date BN | $21 | $24 | $29 | $35 | $72 | $180 | $198 | $240 | $258 | $288 |
| 1842 Lg. Date BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $37 | $60 | $162 | $180 | $234 | $246 | $270 |
| 1843 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $41 | $79 | $210 | $240 | $270 | $330 | $450 |
| 1843 Pt. Hd. Sm. Lt BN | $20 | $25 | $33 | $44 | $76 | $222 | $252 | $270 | $300 | $360 |
| 1843 Pt. Hd. Lg. Lt BN | $20 | $29 | $48 | $127 | $280 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1844 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $37 | $94 | $180 | $210 | $234 | $276 | $330 |
| 1844/81 BN | $28 | $39 | $63 | $150 | $360 | $780 | $870 | $1,110 | $1,260 | $1,530 |
| 1845 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $35 | $89 | $132 | $186 | $210 | $252 | $300 |
| 1846 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $32 | $84 | $126 | $132 | $156 | $180 | $240 |
| 1847 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $32 | $70 | $138 | $156 | $186 | $204 | $216 |
| 1847 over Small 7 BN | $25 | $32 | $52 | $89 | $270 | $390 | $420 | $470 | $520 | $630 |
| 1848 BN | $20 | $22 | $28 | $37 | $66 | $126 | $138 | $144 | $168 | $198 |
| 1849 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $32 | $60 | $180 | $192 | $198 | $222 | $276 |
| 1850 BN | $20 | $22 | $26 | $35 | $62 | $126 | $138 | $150 | $174 | $186 |
| 1851 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $26 | $56 | $108 | $120 | $132 | $156 | $180 |
| 1851/81 BN | $25 | $32 | $41 | $67 | $140 | $270 | $330 | $370 | $425 | $510 |
| 1852 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $26 | $55 | $126 | $138 | $156 | $180 | $198 |
| 1853 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $26 | $55 | $112 | $132 | $144 | $156 | $180 |
| 1854 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $28 | $54 | $120 | $132 | $144 | $174 | $180 |
| 1855 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $26 | $52 | $114 | $132 | $144 | $162 | $186 |
| 1855 Knob on Ear BN | $23 | $26 | $35 | $63 | $132 | $222 | $240 | $330 | $384 | $420 |
| 1856 BN | $18 | $22 | $24 | $26 | $56 | $115 | $138 | $150 | $168 | $192 |
| 1857 BN | $46 | $75 | $107 | $127 | $180 | $216 | $228 | $240 | $252 | $264 |
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