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The American Large Cent Coin Values

The American large cent is worth at least Eleven Dollars today. That is the minimum value of a coin in what dealers call "good" condition.

Large Cent

Your are fortunate to own one, as those who assemble collections of the American large cent are very passionate about them and actively seek additions to their collections.

Should your coin be a rare date or even a well preserved large cent the value increases significantly. Spirited bidding often erupts at auctions over rare large cents.

If you are looking for the values of coins other than the American large cent, start at the beginning, by going to... Coin Values Discovery



The American Large Cent Values - What Dealers Pay

The following charts show there is a wide range in the American large cent values. If you determine your Large Cent is valued in the hundreds of dollars or listed as RARE, absolutely have it graded by either NGC or the PCGS grading service.

The American Large Cent
Coin Values 1793-1857
 Condition of Coin
DateGoodFineExtremely
Fine
Mint
State
1793
Chain
$5,243 $13,410 $45,473 $93,438
1793
Wreath
$1,186 $3,683 $10,170 $25,785
1793
Liberty
$37,721 $15,938 $55,786 RARE
1794 $252 $546 $3,045 $7,973
1795 $254 $540 $2,483 $5,889
1796 $203 $612 $3,233 $20,160
Draped Bust Variety 1796-1807
1796 $199 $507 $1,827 RARE
1797 $104 $351 $936 $3,211
1798 $110 $273 $1,346 RARE
1799 $1,315 $7,500 RARE RARE
1800 $68 $195 $1,151 RARE
1801 $57 $156 $1,112 RARE
1802 $46 $140 $780 $2,256
1803 $45 $148 $646 RARE
1804 $800 $2,457 $6,845 RARE
1805 $34 $148 $624 $2,338
1806 $37 $189 $1,013 $5,576
1807 $48 $134 $570 RARE
Classic Head Variety 1808-1814
1808 $33 $234 $1,053 $5,687
1809 $71 $390 $2,048 $5,889
1810 $52 $171 $653 $3,165
1811 $51 $315 $1,521 $4,511
1812 $54 $162 $740 $2,448
1813 $54 $234 $878 $3,536
1814 $28 $195 $705 $3,146
Coronet Variety 1816-1839
DateGoodFineExtremely
Fine
Mint
State
1816 $17 $30 $204 $383
1817 $19 $30 $137 $234
1818 $13 $30 $94 $230
1819 $19 $28 $127 $332
1820 $13 $30 $86 $255
1821 $25 $156 $702 $4,875
1822 $30 $53 $195 $852
1823 $34 $248 $1,751 RARE
1824 $13 $40 $250 $1,443
1825 $20 $42 $293 $788
1826 $18 $31 $199 $612
1827 $21 $30 $143 $332
1828 $17 $27 $176 $546
1829 $13 $32 $195 $839
1830 $18 $26 $116 RARE
1831 $18 $26 $101 $332
1832 $18 $27 $101 $306
1833 $13 $27 $98 $254
1834 $18 $26 $127 $273
1835 $13 $26 $90 $225
1836 $18 $26 $83 $225
1837 $13 $26 $83 $180
1838 $18 $26 $81 $172
1839 $18 $29 $83 $225
Braided Hair Variety 1839-1857
1839 $13 $22 $54 $233
1840 $17 $22 $50 $189
1841 $13 $22 $78 $234
1842 $13 $22 $47 $176
1843 $17 $22 $50 $293
1844 $17 $22 $72 $168
1845 $13 $22 $68 $176
1846 $17 $22 $59 $156
1847 $17 $22 $49 $140
1848 $13 $22 $45 $129
1849 $13 $22 $45 $172
1850 $17 $22 $45 $135
1851 $11 $20 $40 $131
1852 $16 $20 $41 $135
1853 $11 $20 $40 $126
1854 $11 $20 $37 $135
1855 $11 $20 $36 $140
1856 $11 $20 $40 $121
1857 $29 $91 $153 $213
Large Cent Coin Values Updated 2008


The above are wholesale values. Computed from dealers price lists with various markup factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling. Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs.

For additional reference... NumisMedia publishes an extensive fair market value price guide, covering retail Large Cent Values in detail.

Printable Coin Values Worksheet

Coin Values Worksheet
Click Here

Print the handy Coin Values Worksheet to list your coins and record their values. Should you decide to sell... use the worksheet as an invoice and packing slip when sending coins through the mail to dealers. It indicates you have done your coin values homework.



The American Large Cent "Grade" Determines Value

In order to determine the value of your coin it is necessary to "grade" its condition.

The concept is straight forward... as a coin circulates and wears, all the varying degrees of its condition are each assigned a grade.

Compare your coin to the grading images and find the closest match. The Braided Hair type large cent is pictured. Examine closely the hair around her face and the amount of detail showing in the leaves of the wreath on the reverse. The more detail evident the better the condition and grade. If your coin is slightly better than pictured, use the higher value of the price range.

Amazingly, some examples of the American large cent survive today in uncirculated or mint state grade, meaning no signs of wear. Skill is required to accurately grade a mint state large cent. Beware... small differences in grade often have large differences in value.

Large Cent Grading

Grading a coin is not an exact science. It is your opinion, dealers and collectors have their own opinions... and they can all differ slightly. There is hope...

Collectors and dealers consider PCGS and NGC as leaders in coin grading services. They both authenticate and grade your coin. The small fee you pay provides assurance you understand and receive the full value of your coin.

Investigate dealer's listings, look for those offering the American large cent for sale, their listings and prices usually include a notation of the NGC or PCGS assigned grade. Additionally... these coin dealers are potential buyers of your coins.

Start an American Large Cent Collection

Visit coin dealer web sites. Compare your coins to the ones dealers are selling. Soon you get a feel for the desirability and value of your holdings. Now...

Consider your coins as the beginnings of a coin collection and... hopefully the start of an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. Sorry, I just had to mention collecting coins. Even if you don't become a collector, one approach is to sell all of your coins and use the proceeds to buy one truly nice rare coin. Pass the thrill of a "rare" coin on to your children.

Take a minute and visit Joel Rettew's web site FastCoin.com. They are serious buyers of US coins. Additionally... they have many fascinating rare coins for sale.

The American Large Cent is Undervalued

The American large cent is much rarer than its value indicates. True, there are a number of collectors pursuing them avidly. However, in general large cents are not as popular and have as large a following as other series.

It is hard to imagine a lack if interest with such a diverse variety of large cents to collect. For example... in the first years of mintage alone three distinct designs were struck, all dated 1793...

  • Flowing Hair with Chain Reverse - 1793
  • Flowing Hair with Wreath Reverse - 1793
  • Liberty Cap 1793-1796

Followed by the Draped Bust 1796-1807, Classic Head 1808-1814, Coronet Type 1816-1839 and finally the Braided Hair 1839-1857. A fascinating series of coins. History records...

It was through the efforts of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson the fledgling U.S. mint began to produce large cents for the American economy. The historical significance of this, all but guarantees the future popularity of the series.



Old Coin Value - CentsReturn to Coin Values for Cents from The American Large Cent

Discover your old coin value. Half Cents, Large Cents, to Indian and Wheat pennies. Match your coin to the grading images and value charts to stay current with your old coin value.


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