Classic Head Large Cent

The Classic Head Large Cent was minted from 1808-1814.

Specifications

 * Designer: John Reich
 * Obverse Design: Liberty wearing fillet
 * Reverse Design:
 * Edge: Plain
 * Weight: 10.89 grams
 * Diameter: 28-29 millimeters
 * Composition:  Copper - 100%
 * Dates Minted: 1808-1814

Background
In the year 1808, U.S. citizens, at least those in the larger eastern seaboard cities, were introduced to yet another new type of large cent. This would be the fifth new U.S. large cent type to enter the marketplace in the space of just fifteen years. Like the large cent types that came before, this one featured a bust of Miss Liberty on the obverse, and a wreath with the words “One Cent” within, on the reverse. But this new Miss Liberty was rather startling to some observers. Unlike the graceful, long, flowing-haired Miss Liberty of the earlier 1796 –1807 cent, this Miss Liberty looked a bit heavier, had tightly curled hair and wore a turban with a “Liberty” headband. Not many felt this new large cent design was an improvement over the earlier one (in fact, that sentiment continues to this day). The Miss Liberty on this new type of large cent was promptly dubbed, “The Blowsy Barmaid.”

Today, the “Blowsy Barmaid” cent is known as the Classic Head large cent. It was designed by new mint engraver, John Reich. Actually, this cent didn’t become known as the “Classic Head” cent until the mid-1800’s, when a noted numismatist dubbed it so because of the ancient Greek-like headband worn by Miss Liberty on the face of the coin.

Collecting
Many U.S. coin collectors, even those that specialize in large cents, may be surprised to know the following. The Classic Head large cent of 1808-14 is quite a bit scarcer than the earlier Draped Hair large cent of 1796-1807. Consider this. If you added up the total mintage of all Classic Head large cents ever struck, it would total just slightly more than the mintage of the 1802 Draped Hair large cent alone. To make it even clear, around 14 million total Draped Hair large cents were struck, compared to around 4 million total Classic Head large cents. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that the Classic Head large cent  wasn’t built to survive the ravages of time and circulation very well, thus, it has a higher “vanishing” percentage than does the earlier Draped Hair large cent.

The Classic Head large cent is often overlooked by collectors. It doesn’t have that really “early” factor going for it, that the earlier large cents of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson do. The Classic Head large cent is an early type large cent, as it was struck before 1815, but it suffers from not being THAT early. Also, because it IS so scarce, it can’t be promoted and collected by date as can the later Coronet Head and Braided Hair large cent series.

But the Classic Head large cent does have its devotees. And this coin does have some great history behind it. This is a true War of 1812 U.S. coin! There aren’t many of those, and this is probably the truest one. It was struck during the years leading up to that war, and ended its run just as the War of 1812 was ending ITS run! In fact, the War of 1812 affected this coin series, for, as some accounts go, copper supplies were running short due to the war—especially since the United States Mint often procured supplies of copper from England, the very country we were at war with! In fact, after a fairly small mintage of Classic Head large cents dated 1814, the series came to an end. It would appear there SHOULD have been 1815-dated Classic Head large cents, but none were struck. In fact NO 1815 large cents of any type were struck – the one and only year the U.S. Mint skipped production of the one-cent coin!

The Classic Head large cent series is also interesting in that, despite every date in the series being fairly scarce, none are true rarities. The year of 1810 saw the highest mintage, with around 1.4 million struck. The date of 1811 has the lowest recorded mintage at 218,025 yet strangely, the 1809 cent with its slightly higher mintage of 222,867, seems to be the rarer piece on the market. The retail values bear this out, as the 1811 cent retails $110 in Good, while the 1809 retails $250 in Good. In fact, the 1809 cent is the key to the series. It’s possible that amongst the some 222,000 cents recorded minted in 1809, some were NOT dated 1809, but rather 1808, or maybe 1810. Striking coins DURING a said year but not DATED that year, was not an uncommon practice in the early years of the Mint.

Besides the scarce dates of 1809 and 1811, there are the scarce-but-not-THAT-scarce dates of 1808, 1810 and 1812, all with mintages of just over 1 million. Then there are the “scarcer” dates of 1813 (418,000) and 1814 (357,000). But when it comes to scarcity with this series, condition plays as much a factor as mintage. More so with this series, than with other U.S. coin types.

Grading
Classic Head large cents are NOTORIOUS for surviving in terrible shape! Usually the grade of Very Good isn’t that big a deal with most U.S. coin types. In the case of Classic Head large cents, a coin in Very Good condition is a big deal. In fact, a problem-free example in just Good condition is considered pretty desirable! This is because Classic Head large cents were struck on inferior planchets—at least that is the oft-told explanation. Be forewarned, some experts doubt this explanation, but most still agree that this is the reason so few Classic Head cents are in problem-free shape. Heavy wear, corrosion, blackness, porosity – these seem to be the order of the day for most Classic Head large cents on the market. Knowledgeable collectors get quite excited to see an 1808-14 cent with a smooth, light brown surface without nicks or surface roughness—and if there’s any kind of detail, then the excitement level goes WAY up!

With this series, a quality surface and nice color plays nearly a big a role as surviving detail. But when judging the grade, you’re looking for the following: a readable “Liberty” in the headband, hair curl detail, any kind of facial detail. If those are there, you have a better than average piece. On the reverse, some leaf detail in the wreath makes for a desirable grade. Intact stars, date and legend lettering are MAJOR plusses!

Mints

 * Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark)