Numismatic

1814 Large Cent Crosslet 4 Good

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In 1814, the Philadelphia Mint struck a distinctive copper cent that remains a fascinating relic of early American coining. This one cent piece belongs to the Classic Head series, a design era defined by its unique artistic styling. Despite a modest production run of just 357,830 pieces, this issue has captured the attention of numismatists for generations, particularly because of the specific styling of its date digits. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, adorned with a band inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Below her portrait, the year 1814 is clearly visible. This specific variety is known for the Crosslet 4, where the rightmost digit of the date features a small serif or crossbar on its horizontal tail. On the reverse, a delicate wreath wraps around the central denomination of ONE CENT. Encircling this wreath is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck in pure copper, this coin offers a tangible look at the early manufacturing standards of the United States, representing a time when copper cents were substantial, heavy pieces of circulating currency.