Numismatic

1856 Large Cent Upright 5 Fine

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In the mid nineteenth century, the United States Mint produced large copper cents that feel substantial in the hand, representing a bygone era of American coinage. This 1856 issue belongs to the Braided Hair series, which spanned from 1839 to 1857. It showcases a specific stylistic detail known to collectors as the Upright 5 variety, referring to the orientation of the final digit in the date. The obverse of this copper coin features a left-facing profile of Liberty, her hair neatly bound in braids, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. On the reverse, the denomination of ONE CENT is positioned at the center, framed by a continuous decorative wreath. Surrounding this central design is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, completing a classic layout that defined the country's early copper currency.