Flowing Hair Large Cent 1793—1796

The Flowing Hair Large Cent is an early American coin that was minted from 1793 to 1796. It was the first penny struck by the United States Mint and features a depiction of Lady Liberty on the obverse (front) and a wreath on the reverse (back).

The obverse design of the Flowing Hair Large Cent features a portrait of Lady Liberty facing to the right, with her hair flowing behind her. The words "LIBERTY" and the year of minting are inscribed around the edge. The reverse design depicts a wreath with a small bow at the bottom, surrounded by the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "ONE CENT."

There are two major varieties of the Flowing Hair Large Cent. The first variety, minted in 1793, does not have a denomination on the reverse. The second variety, minted from 1794 to 1796, includes the denomination "ONE CENT" on the reverse.

The Flowing Hair Large Cent was minted at the Philadelphia Mint, which was the sole mint facility of the United States at the time.

The Flowing Hair Large Cent is highly sought after by collectors and is considered a rare coin. The value of an individual coin depends on its condition (grade), rarity, and overall desirability. Coins in better condition and with unique characteristics, such as mint errors or historical significance, tend to command higher prices.

The Flowing Hair Large Cent holds historical significance as the first official one-cent coin issued by the United States government. It represents the early years of the nation's coinage system and is a relic of American history.

Key Dates

1793: This is the inaugural year of the Flowing Hair Large Cent, and all coins from this year are considered significant. There are two major varieties of the 1793 cents: the Chain Cent and the Wreath Cent. The Chain Cent features a chain linking the 15 links of the states, symbolizing unity. The Wreath Cent replaced the Chain Cent later in 1793 and features a wreath on the reverse.

1794: The 1794 Flowing Hair Large Cent is an important date in the series. It represents the first full year of production after the introduction of the series. These coins have a lower mintage, making them scarcer and more valuable.

1795: The 1795 Flowing Hair Large Cent is another key date. It has a lower mintage compared to some of the other years in the series, adding to its desirability among collectors.

1796: The 1796 Flowing Hair Large Cent is the final year of the series and is highly sought after. It has a limited mintage, making it one of the scarcest dates in the series.