Liberty Cap Large Cent Values
How Much Liberty Cap Large Cents are Worth: Liberty Cap 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1793 | (None) Phil | Liberty Cap | BN | $12,650.00 | $22,550.00 | $42,600.00 | $122,250.00 | $202,000.00 | $990,000.00 | $1,760,000.00 | $2,750,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1793 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Head of 1793 | BN | $3,850.00 | $8,050.00 | $15,500.00 | $25,050.00 | $53,250.00 | $170,500.00 | $261,750.00 | $493,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Head of 1974 | BN | $690 | $1,093.00 | $1,922.00 | $4,010.00 | $8,300.00 | $21,000.00 | $31,625.00 | $69,500.00 | $98,800.00 | $125,000.00 |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Head of 1974 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $53,000.00 | $120,500.00 | $167,500.00 | $222,500.00 |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Head of 1795 | BN | $785 | $700 | $2,065.00 | $5,340.00 | $8,863.00 | $20,750.00 | $28,950.00 | $35,125.00 | $80,250.00 | $122,500.00 |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Head of 1795 | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $55,250.00 | $104,500.00 | $218,000.00 | $264,000.00 |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | Starred Reverse | BN | $40,250.00 | $59,500.00 | $100,000.00 | $319,250.00 | $591,250.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1794 | (None) Phil | No Fraction Bar | BN | $1,850.00 | $2,525.00 | $5,875.00 | $15,650.00 | $24,150.00 | $49,950.00 | $80,500.00 | $104,500.00 | $148,500.00 | -- |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Lettered Edge | BN | $778 | $1,318.00 | $2,125.00 | $5,105.00 | $8,300.00 | $15,000.00 | $27,950.00 | $51,050.00 | $71,250.00 | -- |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Lettered Edge | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $24,000.00 | $51,750.00 | $90,500.00 | $155,000.00 | $165,000.00 |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Plain Edge | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $70,000.00 | $90,000.00 | -- |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Plain Edge | BN | $515,000.00 | $715,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Reeded Edge | BN | $42,750.00 | $75,000.00 | $126,750.00 | $286,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1795 | (None) Phil | Jeff Head, Let Edge | BN | $100,000.00 | $212,500.00 | $330,000.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $915 | $1,520.00 | $2,895.00 | $8,775.00 | $12,125.00 | $28,400.00 | $62,600.00 | $102,700.00 | $175,500.00 | $229,000.00 |
History of the Liberty Cap Large Cent
The Liberty Cap Large Cent was minted from 1793 to 1796, representing one of the earliest designs in U.S. coinage history. This coin is one of the first cents struck by the newly established Philadelphia Mint. The original 1793 Liberty Cap design is attributed to Joseph Wright, with later modifications (1794–1796) carried out by Robert Scot, both drawing inspiration from French and American Revolutionary symbolism.
Over the brief four-year production period, the Liberty Cap Large Cent saw several subtle design changes as minting techniques improved, and engravers sought to refine Liberty’s portrait and lettering.
The earliest 1793 coins featured Liberty facing left, but later in 1794 the portrait was reversed to face right, with more refined features and a more proportionate cap and pole. These updates introduced a more consistent design style that influenced later issues such as the Draped Bust and Classic Head cents. The Liberty Cap cent’s use of symbolic imagery reflected the young nation’s dedication to freedom and independence.
These updates introduced a more consistent design style that influenced later issues such as the Draped Bust and Classic Head cents. The 1793 Liberty Cap ‘Head Left’ cent and the 1796 ‘LIHERTY’ error are notable rarities that frequently achieve high auction prices.
On the obverse, Lady Liberty’s profile is wearing a soft cap (the Phrygian cap) on a pole, symbolizing freedom; surrounded by the word “LIBERTY” and the date below. The reverse features a laurel wreath encircling the denomination “ONE CENT,” with the fraction 1/100 at the bottom, representing 1/100 of a dollar.
The Liberty Cap Large Cent was replaced by the Draped Bust Large Cent in mid-1796. The Draped Bust design appeared in the middle of 1796 and continued the tradition of large copper cents in the United States, featuring a new portrait of Liberty that would be used until 1807.
Rarest Coins in the Series
- 1793 First-Year Issue (“Head Left”): The very first Liberty Cap cent, struck in limited numbers with only 11,056 pieces produced.
- 1794 Transitional Design (“Head Right”): Introduced the right-facing Liberty, a major artistic update by Robert Scot, reflecting refinement in early Mint engraving. Known for several die varieties with slight differences in wreath and letter spacing.
- 1795 Plain Edge (“Head Right”): Minted in larger quantities but still scarce today, often collected for its sharper details and improved striking quality.
- 1796 Final-Year Issue (“LIHERTY” Error): Features the famous misspelling of “LIBERTY” as “LIHERTY”.
Types of Collections
- Date Set: A collection that includes one example from each year of Liberty Cap Large Cent production (1793, 1794, 1795, and 1796).
- Die Marriage Set: Liberty Cap large cents were struck from individually engraved dies, many of which produced distinctive die marriages. Advanced collectors try to find one example of every die pair for each year, forming a highly specialized collection focused on identifying these subtle differences.
- Type Set: This collection approach includes just one representative Liberty Cap Large Cent, forming part of a broader type set of U.S. cents. A type set is often chosen by collectors looking to highlight the artistry and historical progress of U.S. coinage without collecting every date or variety.
- Condition Set: Some collectors challenge themselves to assemble Liberty Cap Large Cents in a specific grade, such as all examples in Fine or better, or as high grade as budget allows.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
Liberty Cap Large Cents are among the earliest U.S. copper issues (struck in the 1790s) and are generally scarce and costly, especially in problem-free condition. Because of this, new collectors who are interested in early U.S. copper often begin with a single, modestly priced, lower-grade example purchased from a reputable dealer. You can use that coin to learn how to spot clear lettering, basic hair details, and signs of heavy corrosion or cleaning. Store your coin in an archival-quality, inert holder in a stable, low-humidity environment to help preserve its surfaces.
Advanced Collecting
Many advanced collectors specialize in Liberty Cap Large Cents because of their rarity, early dates, and extensive die-variety research. High-grade pieces and rare varieties can be difficult to locate and may require years of searching, careful study, and significant financial outlays. Working with early-copper specialists, major auctions, and established dealers who regularly handle colonial and early federal issues is common at this level. Close attention to planchet quality, originality of surfaces, and subtle variety diagnostics is essential, and high-grade examples are typically kept in certified holders and temperature-controlled storage to help protect their patina and overall condition.
Investment Potential
Because of their historical significance, age, and rarity, Liberty Cap Large Cents have shown long-term price stability in the numismatic market. As early U.S. Mint issues, they regularly draw collector interest at auctions. These coins were never issued as proofs, but examples certified by NGC or PCGS with strong details and original surfaces can see substantial appreciation.