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Classic Head Large Cent

The Classic Head large cent coin was an innovation in design, or at least a change introduced by the new US Mint Director, Robert Patterson that was minted from 1808 -1814. Up until that time, all coins bore designs by Chief Engraver Robert Scot. The new US Mint Director changed all of the designs on all of the coins, perhaps feeling the current designs lacking in some fashion. While Robert Patterson was apparently unimpressed by the work of Robert Scot, the coin collectors of the time (and sometimes today) were equally unimpressed with Robert Patterson’s changes and this new vision by John Reich of Lady Liberty.

One result of these changes was a new Miss Liberty head that became known as the Classic Head large cent coin. Rather than the younger and more feminine bust of prior large cent coins this lady looked a bit on the heavy side, her hair was tightly curled and confined in a headband bearing the LIBERTY stamp. In fact in many eyes  it was not considered an improvement over the earlier busts and was immediately nicknamed “The Blowsy Barmaid Bust”.  The Classic large cent coin bore this somewhat ignominious nickname until the mid 1800s when it was nicknamed the “Classic Head large cent” coin by a collector because of the classic style headband.

1813 classic head large cent key
1813 classic head large cent key
Paypal   US $50.99
1814 Classic Head Large Cent GOOD Choice Smooth Surface
1814 Classic Head Large Cent GOOD Choice Smooth Surface
Paypal   US $36.50
1813 Classic Head Cent
1813 Classic Head Cent
Paypal   US $7.99
1813 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT PENNY FREE SHIPPING
1813 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT PENNY FREE SHIPPING
Paypal   US $79.99
1809 1810 Classic Head Large Cent
1809 1810 Classic Head Large Cent
   US $13.25
CHOICE 1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT
CHOICE 1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT
Paypal   US $160.00
1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT  VG  S 283
1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT VG S 283
Paypal   US $99.99
1814 PLAIN 4 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT ORIGINAL VG
1814 PLAIN 4 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT ORIGINAL VG
Paypal   US $139.99

There are not any particularly rare years for collectors of the Classic Head cent though there was a roller coaster where one year’s mintage might reach over 1 million and the next barely 250,000 coins. 4,757,722 Classic Head large cent coins were minted over the 6 years of its life. The copper of this particular large cent coin appears to be of lower quality and it is frequently found pitted and corroded in coins from this series. Coins considered in very good condition are not considered rare in the large cent series but a coin of the Classic Head large cent series lacking significant corrosion, good color and with decent detail is an excellent find.

Just as vintage wines have “very good years” so do coins, and although commonly seen, the Classic Head large cent struck in 1814 are considered a very good year. These seem to have sharper detail and some coins have the desirable touch of mint red to them. Some collectors prefer to focus on this year due to the decent detail and marginally better surface texture. Red brown coins of this era have a little more value to collectors than brown and red of course is desirable. Brown and blackened coins from the Classic Head cent series are very common.

Though color and surface texture play a large part in this series (probably due to low grade copper) so does detail and a Classic Head large cent with the LIBERTY in readable condition, The leaves of the wreath still detailed on the obverse side is cause for excitement.

The Classic Head large cent coin may not have been the most beautiful of the Liberty designs however; she is a piece of history that can be obtained at a reasonable price relatively easily by the collector.

1808 Classic Head Lg Cent Filler w Rim Damage 99c Start 1808 Classic Head Lg Cent Filler w Rim Damage 99c Start US $.99
US 1814 Classic Head Large Cent US 1814 Classic Head Large Cent US $9.99
1812 Classic Head Large Cent 1812 Classic Head Large Cent US $49.95
1817 VG CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT 13 STARS IDK342 1817 VG CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT 13 STARS IDK342 US $35.00
1812 GOOD CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT IDK337 1812 GOOD CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT IDK337 US $65.00
1812 S 289 AU SHARPNESS CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT 1812 S 289 AU SHARPNESS CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT US $600.00
1811 Classic Head Large Cent Normal Date 1811 Classic Head Large Cent Normal Date US $15.28
1811 Classic Head Large Cent Scarce Date Fine Details 1811 Classic Head Large Cent Scarce Date Fine Details US $279.00
EARLY DATE GOOD 1811 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT NR EARLY DATE GOOD 1811 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT NR US $9.99
1810 09 Classic Cent Choice Quality Extra Fine 1810 09 Classic Cent Choice Quality Extra Fine US $1,125.00
1812 FINE CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT IDH527 NO RESERVE 1812 FINE CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT IDH527 NO RESERVE US $41.00
1811 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT 1811 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT US $4.99
1808 Classic Head Large Cent Sharp XF Details 1808 Classic Head Large Cent Sharp XF Details US $385.00
CHOICE 1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT CHOICE 1810 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT US $160.00
1810 1814 Classic Head Large Cent 1810 1814 Classic Head Large Cent US $15.50
1809 1810 Classic Head Large Cent 1809 1810 Classic Head Large Cent US $13.25
1814 CLASSIC HEAD US LARGE CENT 1814 CLASSIC HEAD US LARGE CENT US $24.95
1810 AG GOOD CONDITION POROUS CLASSIC LG CENT 1810 AG GOOD CONDITION POROUS CLASSIC LG CENT US $.99
1809 Classic Head ANACS G6 1809 Classic Head ANACS G6 US $191.50
1808 Classic Head NGC VG 8 1808 Classic Head NGC VG 8 US $150.00

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