The US Mints 1st Coin The Large Cent

While down at the Florida United Numismatics show, we came across a hoard of something truly iconic. In the long and storied career of the United States Mint, there have been more than a few coins and denominations that have been retired over the years...but none of these 'Obsolete' coins had as much of an impact as the ones we found in Florida: The Large Cents!

This unique coin that we produced before the turn of the 20th century had a significant impact on our monetary system. In addition to its influential past, this coin is highly sought after in large part due to the fact that they are so rare that few collectors are aware they even existed at all! But fear not! Thanks to our lucky find down in the Sunshine State, we can bring to you these scarce pieces of Minting History!

The Large Cent was one of the first two coins struck by the U.S. Mint back in 1793. The weight of the former Cent was double that of the Half Cent, earning it the nickname "The Large" cent. These large copper coins were 26 to 29 mm in diameter, and when compared with today's quarter at 24.3mm, they truly were a "Large" cent.

In 1857 the cost of copper had exceeded the actual denomination value of the coin, which resulted in the United States Mint created a much smaller cent to replace the "Large Cent": this replacement coin is our modern day penny. Each of our large coppers are authentic, hand selected circulated coins, encapsulated in our custom protective lens. These mammoth sized pennies were issued until 1875, with all coins being struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Did You Know? If you add all the Large Cents ever produced between 1973 and 1857, it totals less than a single day's production of cents at the modern Philadelphia Mint!!!