Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Liberty bust portrait.
Reverse: ONE CENT within a wreath, with the fraction 1/100 below.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1796-1807 Draped Bust Large Cent
Draped Bust large cents are early copper coins widely collected by date and die variety.
Draped Bust Large Cent history
The Draped Bust large cent was introduced in 1796 as the Mint continued refining the appearance of the nation’s copper coinage. The design is generally credited to Robert Scot and uses the same broad Draped Bust portrait style seen on contemporary silver coins. Over its run, the reverse and lettering were repeatedly adjusted as dies wore and engraving practices changed. The type ended in 1807 and was replaced the following year by John Reich’s Classic Head cent.