Numismatic

1839 Large Cent Head of 1838 VG

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In 1839, the United States Mint produced a copper large cent that captures a transitional moment in early American coining. This specific issue features the Young Head Liberty design, which concluded a design series spanning from 1835 to 1839. The imagery is attributed to the artistic hands of either Robert Scot or John Reich, representing the evolving aesthetic of early nineteenth-century American currency. On the obverse side, the profile of Liberty faces right, her hair bound by a band inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle her image, representing the original colonies that formed the nation, with the year 1839 stamped clearly below the bust. The reverse presents a simple yet elegant layout, placing the denomination of ONE CENT inside a continuous leafy wreath. Surrounding this central wreath is the full country name, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this copper cent survives as a physical artifact of early commerce. Because the mint mark was not included on coins from this facility during this era, the clean fields of the coin remain uninterrupted, focusing all attention on the bold engraving and classic motifs.