Numismatic

1849 Large Cent VF

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In the middle of the nineteenth century, the United States Mint produced large, substantial copper cents that feel entirely different from the minor coinage of today. This 1849 issue, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, represents a fascinating era of early American copper currency. Made of pure copper, this coin carries a significant physical presence that showcases the artistry of the era. The front of the coin features the elegant Braided Hair portrait of Liberty, facing right, with her hair bound and secured by a cord. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed upon her hairband, with the year 1849 anchored below the bust. This design, created by Christian Gobrecht, brings a refined neoclassical aesthetic to the everyday circulating currency of the period. On the reverse, a delicate wreath wraps around the central denomination of ONE CENT. Encircling this wreath, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is struck boldly along the outer rim. This particular specimen survives in Very Fine condition, showing the clear details of the original engraving and offering a tangible connection to the daily commerce of pre-Civil War America.