Draped Bust Large Cent Values
How Much Draped Bust Large Cents are Worth: Draped Bust Large Cent Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1794 | BN | $1,203.00 | $2,240.00 | $3,320.00 | $8,440.00 | $13,750.00 | $25,850.00 | $50,900.00 | $125,000.00 | -- | $210,000.00 |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1794 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $250,000.00 |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1795 | BN | $642 | $1,220.00 | $2,313.00 | $6,585.00 | $13,040.00 | $27,750.00 | $50,350.00 | $66,100.00 | $93,500.00 | $150,000.00 |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1795 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $83,750.00 | $170,000.00 | $258,500.00 |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1797 | BN | $1,093.00 | $1,725.00 | $2,140.00 | $7,500.00 | $8,875.00 | $12,725.00 | $20,250.00 | $31,000.00 | $50,750.00 | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Draped, Reverse of 1797 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $27,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | LIHERTY | BN | $2,065.00 | $3,555.00 | $5,950.00 | $15,500.00 | $22,625.00 | $60,000.00 | -- | -- | $150,000.00 | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | LIHERTY | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $140,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Rev of 1795, Plain Edge | BN | $873 | $1,710.00 | $3,115.00 | $8,600.00 | $24,350.00 | $57,250.00 | $52,500.00 | $60,000.00 | $90,500.00 | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | Rev of '95, Gripped Edge | BN | $593 | $918 | $1,590.00 | $4,550.00 | $13,425.00 | $30,700.00 | $53,750.00 | $64,000.00 | $82,500.00 | -- |
| 1797 | (None) Phil | Rev of 1797, Stems | BN | $403 | $830 | $1,253.00 | $2,635.00 | $5,450.00 | $8,945.00 | $14,800.00 | $26,495.00 | $35,150.00 | $60,250.00 |
| 1797 | (None) Phil | Rev of 1797, Stems | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $16,600.00 | $20,050.00 | $110,995.00 | $112,000.00 |
| 1797 | (None) Phil | Rev of 1797, No Stems | BN | $590 | $935 | $1,900.00 | $8,300.00 | $17,150.00 | $42,500.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1798/7 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $653 | $1,140.00 | $2,080.00 | $4,440.00 | $10,050.00 | $31,400.00 | $62,800.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | Reverse of 1795 | BN | $600 | $860 | $2,585.00 | $6,940.00 | $10,400.00 | $16,375.00 | $37,250.00 | $54,500.00 | $110,000.00 | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | Reverse of 1795 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $21,500.00 | $43,500.00 | $50,000.00 | $115,000.00 | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | 1st Hair Style | BN | $312 | $522 | $988 | $2,145.00 | $4,650.00 | $12,750.00 | $31,950.00 | $39,500.00 | $57,500.00 | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | 1st Hair Style | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $67,500.00 | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | 2nd Hair Style | BN | $500 | $563 | $765 | $1,845.00 | $3,408.00 | $10,625.00 | $16,700.00 | $36,525.00 | $66,050.00 | -- |
| 1798 | (None) Phil | 2nd Hair Style | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $30,800.00 | $59,500.00 | -- |
| 1799 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $11,450.00 | $20,600.00 | $32,300.00 | $173,750.00 | $272,500.00 | $520,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1799/8 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $16,700.00 | $28,200.00 | $51,250.00 | $187,500.00 | $346,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1800 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $230 | $389 | $725 | $2,890.00 | $4,165.00 | $12,180.00 | $20,800.00 | $24,750.00 | $56,500.00 | -- |
| 1800 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $17,000.00 | $25,850.00 | $47,300.00 | $109,250.00 | -- |
| 1800/1798 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $290 | $649 | $1,110.00 | $4,800.00 | $7,800.00 | $14,625.00 | $37,250.00 | $48,250.00 | $77,250.00 | -- |
| 1800/1798 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $125,000.00 | -- |
| 1800/79 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $218 | $399 | $775 | $3,075.00 | $5,040.00 | $15,500.00 | $35,875.00 | $56,050.00 | -- | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $220 | $377 | $547 | $2,130.00 | $3,885.00 | $10,650.00 | $16,600.00 | $29,350.00 | $27,500.00 | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $40,000.00 | $65,000.00 | $77,500.00 | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $70,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | 3 Errors Reverse | BN | $730 | $1,590.00 | $3,575.00 | $11,525.00 | $24,600.00 | $55,750.00 | $135,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | 1/000 | BN | $307 | $545 | $1,015.00 | $3,995.00 | $5,390.00 | $13,705.00 | $30,750.00 | $39,950.00 | $55,000.00 | -- |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | 100/000 | BN | $428 | $753 | $1,360.00 | $5,475.00 | $11,750.00 | $43,050.00 | $55,000.00 | $66,000.00 | $93,500.00 | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | 100/000 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $58,500.00 | $74,500.00 | $85,800.00 | $121,000.00 | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $179 | $303 | $599 | $1,350.00 | $2,110.00 | $6,155.00 | $13,700.00 | $19,550.00 | $35,700.00 | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $21,000.00 | $35,000.00 | $60,000.00 | $80,495.00 |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | 1/000 | BN | $323 | $533 | $808 | $2,065.00 | $4,440.00 | $12,050.00 | $26,000.00 | $36,300.00 | $55,000.00 | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | 1/000 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $82,500.00 | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | No Stems | BN | $223 | $367 | $550 | $1,330.00 | $2,820.00 | $13,725.00 | $20,300.00 | $32,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1802 | (None) Phil | No Stems | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $14,000.00 | $30,000.00 | $55,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Sm Fraction | BN | $225 | $339 | $498 | $1,300.00 | $2,425.00 | $7,475.00 | $14,030.00 | $18,450.00 | $35,700.00 | $57,500.00 |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Sm Fraction | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $17,650.00 | $27,400.00 | $62,500.00 | $82,500.00 |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Sm Fraction | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $66,500.00 | -- | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Lg Fraction | BN | $176 | $325 | $515 | $1,323.00 | $1,945.00 | $6,210.00 | $14,800.00 | $23,800.00 | $33,750.00 | $49,650.00 |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Lg Fraction | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $7,500.00 | $18,250.00 | $33,225.00 | $43,300.00 | $67,150.00 |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Date, Lg Frac | BN | $18,250.00 | $27,100.00 | $44,100.00 | $101,250.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Large Date, Sm Fraction | BN | $515 | $1,420.00 | $2,665.00 | $10,750.00 | $13,950.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | 100/000 | BN | $401 | $628 | $1,078.00 | $2,960.00 | $5,475.00 | $12,000.00 | $30,850.00 | $55,250.00 | $66,000.00 | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | No Stems | BN | $220 | $439 | $572 | $1,550.00 | $2,490.00 | $10,400.00 | $20,650.00 | $32,750.00 | $45,000.00 | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | No Stems | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $42,500.00 | -- | $150,000.00 |
| 1804 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $4,425.00 | $6,410.00 | $10,450.00 | $23,450.00 | $43,250.00 | $240,000.00 | $572,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1805 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $173 | $296 | $519 | $1,343.00 | $2,400.00 | $5,975.00 | $16,930.00 | $22,400.00 | $44,000.00 | $165,000.00 |
| 1805 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $62,500.00 | -- |
| 1806 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $175 | $417 | $613 | $1,803.00 | $2,835.00 | $7,280.00 | $25,450.00 | $31,250.00 | $52,000.00 | -- |
| 1806 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $67,500.00 |
| 1807/6 | (None) Phil | Small 7 | BN | $4,355.00 | $14,400.00 | $24,250.00 | $58,000.00 | $90,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1807/6 | (None) Phil | Large 7 | BN | $246 | $482 | $710 | $1,390.00 | $3,540.00 | $8,850.00 | $24,750.00 | $77,995.00 | $67,300.00 | $140,000.00 |
| 1807/6 | (None) Phil | Large 7 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $35,125.00 | -- | -- | $150,000.00 |
| 1807/6 | (None) Phil | Large 7 | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $497,500.00 |
| 1807 | (None) Phil | Small Fraction | BN | $273 | $833 | $2,075.00 | $10,650.00 | $26,350.00 | $48,000.00 | $54,350.00 | $71,900.00 | -- | -- |
| 1807 | (None) Phil | Large Fraction | BN | $163 | $288 | $510 | $1,275.00 | $2,400.00 | $7,550.00 | $16,150.00 | $27,850.00 | $41,350.00 | -- |
| 1807 | (None) Phil | Large Fraction | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $30,300.00 | $52,000.00 | -- |
| 1807 | (None) Phil | Comet | BN | $323 | $600 | $1,470.00 | $3,150.00 | $6,575.00 | $20,000.00 | $27,550.00 | $37,750.00 | $48,250.00 | -- |
| 1807 | (None) Phil | Comet | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $75,250.00 | -- |
History of the Draped Bust Large Cent
The Draped Bust Large Cent, minted from 1796 to 1807, is an early U.S. coin prized for its design and history. Robert Scot, the U.S. Mint’s first Chief Engraver, is believed to have based the Draped Bust Liberty on a portrait of socialite Ann Willing Bingham.
The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty with flowing hair, while the reverse displays a simple wreath encircling “ONE CENT”. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircles the reverse design. The denomination “1/100” is at the bottom of the reverse.
During its production, the Draped Bust Large Cent was struck with two distinct reverse designs:
- 1796-1807 Wreath Reverse: Features a laurel wreath encircling “ONE CENT” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the rim.
- 1799-1804 Refinements: During this period, the coin’s lettering and spacing were modified.
By 1808, the Classic Head Large Cent replaced the Draped Bust Large Cent, marking another stylistic evolution in early American coinage.
Rarest Coins in the Series
- 1796 “LIHERTY” Error: A rare variety where “LIBERTY” is misspelled due to a defective die.
- 1799 Draped Bust Large Cent: One of the rarest and most valuable dates. The exact mintage is unknown.
- 1800/1798 Overdate: A notable overdate variety where a 1800 date was punched over a 1798 die.
- 1802 “Stemless Wreath”: A variety missing the stem in the wreath on the reverse.
- 1804 Draped Bust Large Cent
Collectors often seek examples with bold details in Liberty’s hair and a well-defined wreath; weak strikes are common in early U.S. coinage.
Types of Collections
- Complete Date and Variety Set: Collect every year from 1796 to 1807, including the 1796 Stemless Reverse, 1796 LIHERTY error, and 1799 9-over-8 date.
- High-Grade Condition Set: Assemble Draped Bust Large Cents in high grades like AU or MS, emphasizing well-preserved coins with strong strikes, which are rare.
- Historical Thematic Collection: Collect Draped Bust Large Cents as early U.S. Mint coins designed by Robert Scot, highlighting their design features and early American history significance.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
Draped Bust Large Cents are early U.S. copper coins struck from 1796 to 1807. While many dates are scarce and high-priced in better grades, some more available dates can be found in lower, circulated grades at prices that are more modest than high-grade examples. New collectors interested in early copper can start with one or a few of these common, lower-grade pieces from reputable dealers or major shows, focusing on coins with clear dates, solid wreath detail, and limited planchet flaws or corrosion. Even a single representative example provides a way to experience early U.S. copper without the cost of rare varieties. Store your coin in an archival-quality, inert holder in a stable, low-humidity environment.
Advanced Collecting
Many advanced collectors pursue Draped Bust Large Cents by date and major variety, including highly coveted issues such as the 1799 and 1804 cents, which are scarce and often command high premiums in most collectible grades. Although many millions were originally minted, surviving dates and well-preserved pieces are limited, so building a comprehensive collection can take years and considerable financial outlays. Collectors typically acquire coins through major auctions, established dealers, and numismatic conventions, prioritizing strong detail, minimal defects, and authentication by reputable third-party grading services. Certified holders and storage in stable, climate-controlled, low-humidity conditions help preserve the physical condition and appearance of these early copper pieces.
Investment Potential
For investors, Draped Bust Large Cents combine historical appeal with numismatic market value. While copper content may be low in intrinsic value, well-preserved specimens are increasingly scarce, potentially driving prices higher over time. These coins attract numismatists and investors interested in early U.S. Mint rarities.