History
The Liberty Cap large cent, designed by Joseph Wright, was issued by the Mint from 1793 to 1796. The Mint created this type of cent in an attempt to satisfy the public objections to the Chain cent and Wreath cent. It appears to have been a little more successful than its precedents, as it was continued into 1797, unlike the previous two issues, which were issued for one year only. In 1795, the planchets became too thin for the use of edge lettering on the coins, so coins from late-1795 onward have no edge lettering.
The Liberty Cap half cent was designed not by Wright, however, but by Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, Robert Scot.
Varieties
Due to the differences in individual dies used in the coin dies used to produce these coins, there are over one hundred known varieties from each year.[1] Some of these include the absence of the pole that supports the cap, or differences in the size and shape of the numbers in the date. Each of these varieties greatly influences the value of the coin for collectors.[2]
Sources
- R.S. Yeoman, A Guide Book Of United States Coins, 2009 edition.
- http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cents/liberty_cap_large_cents/1794_large_cents/1794_large_cent_varieties.htm
References
- "1794 Large Cent Varities". www.coinfacts.com. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
- Yeomans, R. S. (2015). A Guide Book Of United States Coins, 2014 Edition.
