Matron Head Large Cent
The Matron Head large cent coin goes by several names though many collectors prefer the term Matron Head or Coronet head large cent. The names derive from the less than feminine characteristics of Miss Liberty which Dr. William Sheldon, the author of the standard reference for cents, referred to as more of an obese Ward Boss than a lady. However you refer to the Matron Head large cent, they are relatively rare, eminently collectible and a piece of history.
The Matron Head large cent dates from 1816 however, the first coins were struck in 1815 soon after the US received a long overdue shipment of copper planchets from England. The planchets had been delayed by the war of 1812. The quality of the copper shows in the surviving Matron Head coins to date as they weather better and show less corrosion than earlier large cent coins.
The Matron Head large cent was minted from 1816-1839 a total of 24 years and the Philadelphia mint produced 51,706,473 pieces in all during this period. None of these dates has any particular rarity except that of copper coins over 200 years old – pretty rare in itself. However, during 1817 the 13 stars surrounding the Matron Head cent was struck with 15 stars. There are the usual errors common from hand pressed dyes including overstrikes and small errors. In addition, the 1823 Matron Head cent is rarely seen in any condition though there are some restrikes circulating from this date with progressively blurred details.
There are also variations that do not add much to the cost of the Matron Head coin but are certainly worth noting and very possibly collecting. These are the Silly Head large cent and the Booby Head as well as the Petite head and the “head of 1838” variations. Collectively these four years were known as the Young heads. They feature a much younger more feminine and less portly version of the Matron Head. Although they are of the same variety and known as Matron Head large cent coins these were produced from 1835 – 1839. They were popular with coin collectors of the 19th century.
These coins can be very affordable and may be graded according to surface color as well as condition. Most dates in the Matron Head large cent series will cost from around $25.00 for good condition to $175.00 for very find condition, with a couple of exceptions. 1821 and 1823 will retail for more. The 1823 Matron Head coin is scarcer for reasons unknown and will cost around $80.00 in good condition and far more in very fine condition. The 1821 large cent coin had the lowest mintage of any year of this series and a collector can expect to find this year more expensive.
This is an astoundingly affordable price for coins that are a part of early American history and fortunately, due to the US Mint’s dedication to supply plenty of small change to tradesman of the day, they are very easy to obtain for the collector.
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