Numismatic

1801 Large Cent Good Details

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In the earliest years of the United States, the nation's daily commerce relied on substantial copper coins known as Large Cents. This 1801 example, minted in Philadelphia, showcases the Classic Head Liberty design on its obverse, created by John Reich. Despite wearing the marks of time and environmental exposure, including surfaces that show signs of cleaning, corrosion, or pitting, the coin remains a captivating relic from the dawn of American coinage. The reverse of this copper cent features a wreath enclosing the denomination, surrounded by the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the outer edge. Interestingly, the surviving inscriptions on this piece reveal a curious detail, showing the plural "CENTS" where the singular "CENT" would typically be expected. With a total mintage of 1,362,837, each surviving piece offers a direct connection to the everyday transactions of early nineteenth-century America.