Numismatic

1803 Large Cent Sm Date/Lg Fraction XF (S-261)

---

In the early years of the United States, everyday commerce relied on substantial copper coins known as Large Cents. This particular specimen from 1803 represents an intriguing chapter in early American minting, classified by specialists as the Sheldon 261 variety. It showcases the distinctive Small Date on the obverse paired with a Large Fraction on the reverse, illustrating the subtle variations that make early federal coinage so captivating to study. The obverse of this copper coin features the classic Draped Bust of Liberty, facing to the right, with the year 1803 struck below her portrait. This elegant depiction was originally created by the artist Gilbert Stuart. On the reverse, a delicate wreath encircles the words denoting the denomination, with the fractional value of 1/100 positioned directly beneath the wreath, framed by the legend indicating the nation of origin. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin has survived in Extra Fine condition. Its surfaces retain remarkable detail from its brief time in circulation during the first decade of the nineteenth century, offering a tangible connection to the daily life of early America.