Numismatic

1820 Large Cent Sm Date VF

---

In the early decades of United States coinage, the large cent served as a foundational piece of daily commerce. This 1820 copper cent, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, showcases the Small Date variety, a distinct version that captures the subtle variations of early American coin production. Rendered in pure copper, this substantial coin represents a time when the nation was still shaping its monetary identity. The obverse features the Matron Head interpretation of Liberty, designed by Robert Scot. Her profile is surrounded by stars, with the word LIBERTY inscribed above her portrait. On the reverse, the denomination of ONE CENT is nestled securely within a classic wreath, encircled by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This particular specimen survived in Very Fine condition, though it bears a unique physical mark of its long journey through time. A noticeable scratch runs directly through the word CENT on the reverse, serving as a tangible reminder of the coin's active circulation and the hands it passed through over two centuries ago.