Coronet large cent: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Complete rewrite |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox Coin |
|||
[[File:1819 cent obv.jpg|thumb|right|upright|250px|An 1819 "Matron Head" large cent]] |
|||
|Country=United states |
|||
The original '''Coronet large cent''', sometimes nicknamed "Matron Head", was a type of [[large cent]] issued by the [[United States Mint]] in Philadelphia from 1816 until 1839. |
|||
|Denomination=Coronet large cent |
|||
|Value=0.01 U.S. Dollar |
|||
|Mass=10.89 |
|||
|Diameter_inch= |
|||
|Diameter=29 (1836–1839) or 27 (1839–1857; 1868) |
|||
|Thickness_inch= |
|||
|Thickness= |
|||
|Edge=Plain |
|||
|Composition=100% [[Copper|Cu]] |
|||
|Years of Minting=1816–1857; 1868 |
|||
|Mint marks=None, all large cents were minted at the [[Philadelphia Mint]] |
|||
|Catalog Number= |
|||
|Obverse=File:1819 cent obv.jpg |
|||
|Obverse Design=[[Liberty (goddess)|Liberty]] |
|||
|Obverse Designer=[[Robert Scot]] |
|||
|Obverse Design Date=1816 |
|||
|Obverse2=1837 cent obv.jpg |
|||
|Obverse2 Design=[[Liberty (goddess)|Liberty]] |
|||
|Obverse2 Designer=[[Robert Scot]] (original design), [[Christian Gobrecht]] (modified design) |
|||
|Obverse2 Design Date=1836 |
|||
|Obverse3=File:1839 Braided Hair cent obverse.jpg |
|||
|Obverse3 Design=[[Liberty (goddess)|Liberty]] |
|||
|Obverse3 Designer=[[Robert Scot]] (original design), [[Christian Gobrecht]] (modified design) |
|||
|Obverse3 Design Date=1839 |
|||
|Obverse4=File:1855 cent obv.jpg |
|||
|Obverse4 Design=[[Liberty (goddess)|Liberty]] |
|||
|Obverse4 Designer=[[Robert Scot]] (original design), [[Christian Gobrecht]] (modified design) |
|||
|Obverse4 Design Date=1843 |
|||
|Reverse=File:1819 cent rev.jpg |
|||
|Reverse Design=Wreath |
|||
|Reverse Designer=[[Robert Scot]] |
|||
|Reverse Design Date=1816 |
|||
|Reverse2=File:1855 cent rev.jpg |
|||
|Reverse2 Design=Wreath |
|||
|Reverse2 Designer=[[Robert Scot]] (original design), [[Christian Gobrecht]] (modified design) |
|||
|Reverse2 Design Date=1839 |
|||
}} |
|||
The '''Coronet large cent''' was a type of [[large cent]] issued by the [[United States Mint]] in Philadelphia from 1816 until 1839. |
|||
It was one of two similar designs of the Coronet large cent, the other with a slightly altered profile, produced from 1839 until the end of the production of large cents in 1857. |
|||
There are two similar designs of the Coronet large cent, the '''Matron Head''' and the '''Braided Hair''', the latter with a slightly altered profile. This was the last large cent produced by the mint, being replaced by the reduced diameter [[Flying Eagle cent]] in 1857. |
|||
==Varieties== |
|||
*1817 |
|||
== History == |
|||
** 13 Stars (Standard) |
|||
During the [[War of 1812]], a [[trade embargo]] was imposed between the United States and [[England]], which had supplied the US Mint with copper [[Planchet|planchets]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://classicheadcent.com/|title=Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814) {{!}} Complete Coin Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> The mint's supply was exhausted in 1814, and no [[Classic Head]] cents were produced in 1815. Once the embargo was lifted and the mint received new planchets, large cent production resumed, this time with a new design by [[Robert Scot]]. The design change was made because the Classic Head cents received much criticism. |
|||
** 15 Stars (No one is sure why this occurred) |
|||
*1819 |
|||
The new cents, known as Matron Head cents, were not much better, however, and numismatist [[Walter H. Breen]] called the design “a spectacularly ugly head of Ms. Liberty”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coronetheadcent.com/|title=Coronet Head Large Cents (1816-1839) {{!}} Complete Coin Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> In 1836, [[Christian Gobrecht]] made several modifications to the design, giving the dust of Liberty a younger appearance. |
|||
** "1819/8" Variety - "8" stamped on top of "9" |
|||
*1820 |
|||
Gobrecht made further changes in 1839, creating the "Petite Head" Braided Hair cent. In 1843, the bust was enlarged and tilted upward, this design is known as the "Mature Head". |
|||
** Small Date (Standard), "Curled 2" |
|||
** Large Date, "Curled 2" |
|||
== Varieties == |
|||
** Large Date, Normal "2" |
|||
*1823 |
|||
===Matron Head varieties=== |
|||
** "1823/2" Variety - "2" stamped on top of "3" |
|||
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
|||
** 1823 Restrike - Standard 1823 Coronet Head Cents are notoriously rare. |
|||
! colspan="4" |Matron Head varieties (1816–1839) |
|||
*1824 |
|||
|- |
|||
** "1824/2" Variety - "2" stamped on top of "4" |
|||
!Year |
|||
*1826 |
|||
!Variety |
|||
** "1826/5" Variety - "5" stamped on top of "6" |
|||
!Mintage |
|||
*1828 |
|||
!Notes |
|||
** Large Date (Standard) |
|||
|- |
|||
** Small Date |
|||
| align="center" |1816 |
|||
*1829 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
** Large Lettering (Standard) |
|||
| align="center" |2,820,982 |
|||
** Small Lettering |
|||
| align="center" | |
|||
*1830 |
|||
|- |
|||
** Large Lettering (Standard) |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1817 |
|||
** Small Lettering |
|||
| align="center" |13 stars |
|||
*1834 |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |3,948,400 |
|||
** Small "8", Large Stars |
|||
| |
|||
** Large "8", Small Stars |
|||
|- |
|||
** Large "8", Large Stars |
|||
| align="center" |15 stars error |
|||
*1835 |
|||
|Likely to have been caused by Robert Scot's poor eyesight due to age |
|||
** Small "8", Small Stars |
|||
|- |
|||
** Large "8", Large Stars |
|||
| align="center" |1818 |
|||
** Type of 1836 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
*1837 |
|||
| align="center" |3,167,000 |
|||
** Plain Cord, Large Lettering |
|||
| |
|||
** Plain Cord, Small Lettering |
|||
|- |
|||
** "Beaded" Cord |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1819 |
|||
*1839 |
|||
| align="center" |Standard date |
|||
** Head of 1838 |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |2,671,000 |
|||
** "1839/6" Variety - "6" stamped on top of "9" |
|||
| |
|||
** "Silly Head" Variety |
|||
|- |
|||
** "Booby Head" Variety |
|||
| align="center" |9 over 8 error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |1820 |
|||
| align="center" |Small date |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |4,407,550 |
|||
| align="center" | |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Large date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |20 over 19 error |
|||
|Both small date and large date known<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coronetheadcent.com/1817-coronet-head-cent-15-stars/|title=1817 Coronet Head Large Cent, 15 Stars|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1821 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |389,000 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1822 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |2,072,339 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="4" align="center" |1823 |
|||
| align="center" |Standard date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |3 over 2 error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Restrike |
|||
| align="center" |>6-10 |
|||
| rowspan="2" |Believed to have been created around the same time as the 1804 restrike large cent<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coronetheadcent.com/1823-coronet-head-cent/|title=1823 Coronet Head Large Cent|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Silver restrike |
|||
| align="center" |>2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1824 |
|||
| align="center" |Standard date |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1,262,000 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |4 over 2 error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1825 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |1,461,100 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1826 |
|||
| align="center" |Standard date |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1,517,425 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |6 over 5 error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1827 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |2,357,732 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1828 |
|||
| align="center" |Large date |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |2,260,624 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Small date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1829 |
|||
| align="center" |Large lettering |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1,414,500 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1830 |
|||
| align="center" |Large lettering |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1,711,500 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1831 |
|||
| align="center" |Large lettering |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |3,359,260 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |1832 |
|||
| align="center" |Large lettering |
|||
| rowspan="2" align="center" |2,362,000 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1833 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |2,739,000 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="4" align="center" |1834 |
|||
| align="center" |Small 8, large stars |
|||
| rowspan="4" align="center" |1,855,100 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Large 8, small stars |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Large 8, large stars, small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Large 8, large stars, large lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |1835 |
|||
| align="center" |Small 8, small stars |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |3,878,400 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Large 8, large stars |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Type of 1836 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1836 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |2,111,000 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |1837 |
|||
| align="center" |Type of 1837, large lettering |
|||
| rowspan="3" align="center" |5,558,300 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Type of 1837, small lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Type of 1838 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1838 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |6,370,200 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="4" align="center" |1839 |
|||
| align="center" |Head of 1838 |
|||
| rowspan="4" align="center" |3,128,661 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |Head of 1838, 9 over 6 error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |"Silly Head" |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |"Booby Head" |
|||
| |
|||
|} |
|||
=== Braided Hair varieties === |
|||
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
|||
! colspan="4" |Braided Hair varieties (1839–1857; 1868) |
|||
|- |
|||
!Year |
|||
!Variety |
|||
!Mintage |
|||
!Notes |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="center" |1839 |
|||
| align="center" |– |
|||
| align="center" |3,128,661 |
|||
| align="center" | |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" |1840 |
|||
|Small date |
|||
| rowspan="3" |2,462,700 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Large date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Small over large date error |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|1841 |
|||
|– |
|||
|1,597,367 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1842 |
|||
|Large date |
|||
| rowspan="2" |2,383,390 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Small date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" |1843 |
|||
|Small head, small lettering |
|||
| rowspan="3" |2,425,342 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Small head, large lettering |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Large head |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1844 |
|||
|Standard date |
|||
| rowspan="2" |2,398,752 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|44 over 81 error |
|||
|In reality, the date was punched into the die upside-down, but was corrected by punching the date correctly<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1844-81-1c-bn/1859|title=1844/81 1C, BN (Regular Strike) Braided Hair Cent - PCGS CoinFacts|website=PCGS|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://braidedhaircent.com/184481-braided-hair-large-cent/|title=1844/81 "Blundered Date" Braided Hair Large Cent|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
|1845 |
|||
|– |
|||
|3,894,804 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" |1846 |
|||
|Small date |
|||
| rowspan="3" |4,120,800 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Medium date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Tall date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1847 |
|||
|Standard date |
|||
| rowspan="2" |6,183,669 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Large over small 47 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1848 |
|||
|Standard date |
|||
|6,415,799 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Small date (counterfeit) |
|||
|>10-12 |
|||
|Although this coin is a counterfeit, many numismatists include this coin in [[Coin catalog|coin catalogs]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|1849 |
|||
|– |
|||
|4,178,500 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|1850 |
|||
|– |
|||
|4,426,844 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1851 |
|||
|Standard date |
|||
| rowspan="2" |9,889,707 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|51 over 81 |
|||
|This error is similar to the 44 over 81 error, and inverted date was corrected by punching the date correctly into the die<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1851-81-1c-bn/1895|title=1851/81 1C, BN (Regular Strike) Braided Hair Cent - PCGS CoinFacts|website=PCGS|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
|1852 |
|||
|– |
|||
|5,063,094 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|1853 |
|||
|– |
|||
|6,641,131 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|1854 |
|||
|– |
|||
|4,236,156 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="3" |1855 |
|||
|Upright 55 |
|||
| rowspan="3" |1,574,829 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Slanted 55 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Slanted 55, knob on ear |
|||
|Error caused by a die break |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1856 |
|||
|Upright 5 |
|||
| rowspan="2" |2,690,463 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Slanted 5 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1857 |
|||
|Large date |
|||
| rowspan="2" |333,456 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|Small date |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2" |1868 |
|||
|Nickel |
|||
|>7 |
|||
| rowspan="2" |Pattern coins struck for collectors |
|||
|- |
|||
|Copper |
|||
|≈12 |
|||
|} |
|||
== Replacement == |
|||
{{Main articles|Ring cent|Flying Eagle cent}} |
|||
The price of copper rose dramatically in the late-1840s, and the cost of producing large cents rose as a result. The US Mint started seeking an alternative that used less copper. The first attempt was to [[Perforation|perforate]] the coin, resulting in the [[Ring cent|ring cents]] of 1850 and 1851. The standard composition of these coins was [[Billon (alloy)|billon]], an alloy of 90% copper and 10% silver. This coin was not placed into production as it was expensive to extract the silver from the alloy, and the coins were difficult to eject from the dies. Additionally, a drop in the price of copper temporarily eliminated the need to replace the large cent. |
|||
The price of copper rose again in the mid-1850s, and the mint again looked for an alternative cent. This time, the cent was reduced in size, only a little larger than a [[Dime (United States coin)|dime]]. Patterns for the [[Flying Eagle cent]] were struck in 1854, and proved to be a suitable replacement for the large cent. The small cent was approved for production in 1856, and several thousand 1856 Flying Eagle cents were sold to collectors. Full scale production commenced in mid-1857, replacing the large cent last struck earlier that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://flyingeaglecent.com/1857-flying-eagle-cent/|title=1857 Flying Eagle Cent|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> |
|||
In 1868, eleven years after the last large cent was produced, a mint employee struck around a dozen and a half large cents dated 1868. These coins were struck in both copper and nickel planchets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uspatterns.com/j610p675.html|title=J610/P675|website=uspatterns.com|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uspatterns.com/j611p676.html|title=J611/P676|website=uspatterns.com|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> |
|||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics|United States}} |
|||
* [[List of mints]] |
|||
* [[Silver center cent]] |
|||
== Sources == |
|||
* [[Chain cent]] |
|||
[[R.S. Yeoman]], [[A Guide Book of United States Coins]], 2009 edition. |
|||
* [[Wreath cent]] |
|||
[[Coin World|Coin World's Coin Values]] magazine, May 2005, Volume 3 Issue 5. |
|||
* [[Liberty Cap large cent|Liberty Cap cent]] |
|||
* [[Draped Bust|Draped Bust cent]] |
|||
* [[Classic Head|Classic Head cent]] |
|||
* [[Ring cent]] |
|||
* [[Flying Eagle cent]] |
|||
* [[Indian Head cent]] |
|||
* [[Lincoln cent]] |
|||
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics|United States}} |
|||
== References == |
|||
<references /> |
|||
{{Obsolete United States currency and coinage}} |
|||
{{Coinage (United States)}} |
{{Coinage (United States)}} |
||
Revision as of 15:37, 3 May 2019
United states | |
Value | 0.01 U.S. Dollar |
---|---|
Mass | 10.89 g |
Diameter | 29 (1836–1839) or 27 (1839–1857; 1868) mm |
Edge | Plain |
Composition | 100% Cu |
Years of minting | 1816–1857; 1868 |
Mint marks | None, all large cents were minted at the Philadelphia Mint |
Obverse | |
Design | Liberty |
Designer | Robert Scot |
Design date | 1816 |
Design | Liberty |
Designer | Robert Scot (original design), Christian Gobrecht (modified design) |
Design date | 1836 |
Design | Liberty |
Designer | Robert Scot (original design), Christian Gobrecht (modified design) |
Design date | 1839 |
Design | Liberty |
Designer | Robert Scot (original design), Christian Gobrecht (modified design) |
Design date | 1843 |
Reverse | |
Design | Wreath |
Designer | Robert Scot |
Design date | 1816 |
Design | Wreath |
Designer | Robert Scot (original design), Christian Gobrecht (modified design) |
Design date | 1839 |
The Coronet large cent was a type of large cent issued by the United States Mint in Philadelphia from 1816 until 1839.
There are two similar designs of the Coronet large cent, the Matron Head and the Braided Hair, the latter with a slightly altered profile. This was the last large cent produced by the mint, being replaced by the reduced diameter Flying Eagle cent in 1857.
History
During the War of 1812, a trade embargo was imposed between the United States and England, which had supplied the US Mint with copper planchets.[1] The mint's supply was exhausted in 1814, and no Classic Head cents were produced in 1815. Once the embargo was lifted and the mint received new planchets, large cent production resumed, this time with a new design by Robert Scot. The design change was made because the Classic Head cents received much criticism.
The new cents, known as Matron Head cents, were not much better, however, and numismatist Walter H. Breen called the design “a spectacularly ugly head of Ms. Liberty”.[2] In 1836, Christian Gobrecht made several modifications to the design, giving the dust of Liberty a younger appearance.
Gobrecht made further changes in 1839, creating the "Petite Head" Braided Hair cent. In 1843, the bust was enlarged and tilted upward, this design is known as the "Mature Head".
Varieties
Matron Head varieties
Matron Head varieties (1816–1839) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Variety | Mintage | Notes |
1816 | – | 2,820,982 | |
1817 | 13 stars | 3,948,400 | |
15 stars error | Likely to have been caused by Robert Scot's poor eyesight due to age | ||
1818 | – | 3,167,000 | |
1819 | Standard date | 2,671,000 | |
9 over 8 error | |||
1820 | Small date | 4,407,550 | |
Large date | |||
20 over 19 error | Both small date and large date known[3] | ||
1821 | – | 389,000 | |
1822 | – | 2,072,339 | |
1823 | Standard date | ||
3 over 2 error | |||
Restrike | >6-10 | Believed to have been created around the same time as the 1804 restrike large cent[4] | |
Silver restrike | >2 | ||
1824 | Standard date | 1,262,000 | |
4 over 2 error | |||
1825 | – | 1,461,100 | |
1826 | Standard date | 1,517,425 | |
6 over 5 error | |||
1827 | – | 2,357,732 | |
1828 | Large date | 2,260,624 | |
Small date | |||
1829 | Large lettering | 1,414,500 | |
Small lettering | |||
1830 | Large lettering | 1,711,500 | |
Small lettering | |||
1831 | Large lettering | 3,359,260 | |
Small lettering | |||
1832 | Large lettering | 2,362,000 | |
Small lettering | |||
1833 | – | 2,739,000 | |
1834 | Small 8, large stars | 1,855,100 | |
Large 8, small stars | |||
Large 8, large stars, small lettering | |||
Large 8, large stars, large lettering | |||
1835 | Small 8, small stars | 3,878,400 | |
Large 8, large stars | |||
Type of 1836 | |||
1836 | – | 2,111,000 | |
1837 | Type of 1837, large lettering | 5,558,300 | |
Type of 1837, small lettering | |||
Type of 1838 | |||
1838 | – | 6,370,200 | |
1839 | Head of 1838 | 3,128,661 | |
Head of 1838, 9 over 6 error | |||
"Silly Head" | |||
"Booby Head" |
Braided Hair varieties
Braided Hair varieties (1839–1857; 1868) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Variety | Mintage | Notes |
1839 | – | 3,128,661 | |
1840 | Small date | 2,462,700 | |
Large date | |||
Small over large date error | |||
1841 | – | 1,597,367 | |
1842 | Large date | 2,383,390 | |
Small date | |||
1843 | Small head, small lettering | 2,425,342 | |
Small head, large lettering | |||
Large head | |||
1844 | Standard date | 2,398,752 | |
44 over 81 error | In reality, the date was punched into the die upside-down, but was corrected by punching the date correctly[5][6] | ||
1845 | – | 3,894,804 | |
1846 | Small date | 4,120,800 | |
Medium date | |||
Tall date | |||
1847 | Standard date | 6,183,669 | |
Large over small 47 | |||
1848 | Standard date | 6,415,799 | |
Small date (counterfeit) | >10-12 | Although this coin is a counterfeit, many numismatists include this coin in coin catalogs | |
1849 | – | 4,178,500 | |
1850 | – | 4,426,844 | |
1851 | Standard date | 9,889,707 | |
51 over 81 | This error is similar to the 44 over 81 error, and inverted date was corrected by punching the date correctly into the die[7] | ||
1852 | – | 5,063,094 | |
1853 | – | 6,641,131 | |
1854 | – | 4,236,156 | |
1855 | Upright 55 | 1,574,829 | |
Slanted 55 | |||
Slanted 55, knob on ear | Error caused by a die break | ||
1856 | Upright 5 | 2,690,463 | |
Slanted 5 | |||
1857 | Large date | 333,456 | |
Small date | |||
1868 | Nickel | >7 | Pattern coins struck for collectors |
Copper | ≈12 |
Replacement
The price of copper rose dramatically in the late-1840s, and the cost of producing large cents rose as a result. The US Mint started seeking an alternative that used less copper. The first attempt was to perforate the coin, resulting in the ring cents of 1850 and 1851. The standard composition of these coins was billon, an alloy of 90% copper and 10% silver. This coin was not placed into production as it was expensive to extract the silver from the alloy, and the coins were difficult to eject from the dies. Additionally, a drop in the price of copper temporarily eliminated the need to replace the large cent.
The price of copper rose again in the mid-1850s, and the mint again looked for an alternative cent. This time, the cent was reduced in size, only a little larger than a dime. Patterns for the Flying Eagle cent were struck in 1854, and proved to be a suitable replacement for the large cent. The small cent was approved for production in 1856, and several thousand 1856 Flying Eagle cents were sold to collectors. Full scale production commenced in mid-1857, replacing the large cent last struck earlier that year.[8]
In 1868, eleven years after the last large cent was produced, a mint employee struck around a dozen and a half large cents dated 1868. These coins were struck in both copper and nickel planchets.[9][10]
See also
- Silver center cent
- Chain cent
- Wreath cent
- Liberty Cap cent
- Draped Bust cent
- Classic Head cent
- Ring cent
- Flying Eagle cent
- Indian Head cent
- Lincoln cent
References
- ^ "Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814) | Complete Coin Guide". Retrieved 2019-05-03.
- ^ "Coronet Head Large Cents (1816-1839) | Complete Coin Guide". Retrieved 2019-05-03.
- ^ "1817 Coronet Head Large Cent, 15 Stars". Retrieved 2019-05-01.
- ^ "1823 Coronet Head Large Cent". Retrieved 2019-05-01.
- ^ "1844/81 1C, BN (Regular Strike) Braided Hair Cent - PCGS CoinFacts". PCGS. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
- ^ "1844/81 "Blundered Date" Braided Hair Large Cent". Retrieved 2019-05-01.
- ^ "1851/81 1C, BN (Regular Strike) Braided Hair Cent - PCGS CoinFacts". PCGS. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
- ^ "1857 Flying Eagle Cent". Retrieved 2019-05-03.
- ^ "J610/P675". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
- ^ "J611/P676". uspatterns.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.