1793–1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent – Early American Copper Classic | Symbol of Freedom and the New Republic
The Liberty Cap Large Cent, struck from 1793 to 1796, stands as one of the most historically significant and artistically symbolic coins of early U.S. federal coinage. This design, attributed to Mint Engraver Robert Scot, features a youthful Miss Liberty with flowing hair, representing the spirit of the newly formed American nation. Draped over her left shoulder is a pole topped with a Phrygian cap, historically recognized as a symbol of freedom—awarded to emancipated slaves in ancient times and embraced widely during the American Revolution as an emblem of liberty and independence.
The Liberty Cap motif not only honors America’s ideals of freedom but also fulfills the congressional mandate that U.S. coinage should prominently feature representations of Liberty herself.
Design Features of the Liberty Cap Large Cent (1793–1796)
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Obverse: Bust of Miss Liberty facing right, hair cascading freely, a liberty pole and cap behind her left shoulder. The word LIBERTY crowns the upper rim, with the date placed below.
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Reverse: A simple yet elegant wreath design encircles the denomination ONE CENT, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding the outer border. The fractional value 1/100 is displayed beneath the tied ribbon at the base of the wreath.
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Edge: Early issues (1793–1795) feature the inscribed edge lettering “ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR” — emphasizing the coin’s weight standard of 208 grains. By late 1795, under direction from President George Washington, the weight was reduced to 168 grains, leading to plain edge varieties on most later examples.
Historic Context and Significance
The Liberty Cap Cent followed the controversial Chain Cent and the refined Wreath Cent, both also issued in 1793. While the Chain Cent faced criticism for its symbolic imagery, the Liberty Cap design was widely regarded as a dignified and thoughtful representation of America’s ideals. The Phrygian cap, in particular, had strong associations with the fight for liberty, appearing on Revolutionary War-era buttons, patriotic banners, and early American iconography.
This design was short-lived, ending in 1796 when it was replaced by the Draped Bust cent, yet its lasting legacy and distinctive design continue to attract collectors at all levels.
Collectibility and Market Availability
The Liberty Cap cent series offers strong appeal for both type set collectors and die variety specialists. While 1793 issues are particularly scarce and command premium values across all grades, dates from 1794 through 1796 are considered more accessible in lower grades.
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Circulated Examples (Good to Fine): Relatively available for most dates except 1793.
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Extremely Fine to AU: Scarcer, with fewer examples surviving due to extensive early circulation.
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Uncirculated (Mint State): True rarities, highly sought after by advanced collectors and investors.
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Die Varieties: Numerous die pairings and overdates exist within this series, making it a favorite among early copper specialists pursuing Sheldon numbers and related variety attributions.
Key Highlights for Collectors:
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First U.S. Large Cent Series with the Iconic Liberty Cap Design
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Symbolic Revolutionary Imagery Representing Freedom and Independence
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Classic Handcrafted Die Work from Early Philadelphia Mint Engravers
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Collectible Across All Levels – From Entry-Level Circulated to High-Grade Investment Pieces
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Rich with Die Varieties and Overdates for Specialized Collecting
At Paradime Coins, we proudly offer select, certified examples of early American copper classics, including the Liberty Cap large cents. Whether you’re seeking an affordable collector-grade piece or a premium Uncirculated example for your advanced type set, our curated inventory reflects the highest standards of authenticity, originality, and eye appeal.
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