1812 LARGE CENT
Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 1,075,500
Proofs: None
Designer: John Reich
Diameter: 28-29 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - 100%
Weight: 168 grains (10.89 grams)
Edge: Plain
Mintmark: None (Philadelphia)
The following is reprinted with permission from Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814, by Walter Breen, edited by Mark R. Borckardt
The long-awaited planchets from Boulton arrived before May 9, theoretically 20 long tons or 44,800 pounds should yield 1,866,666 cents. The actual number issued by the time this stock was exhausted in December 1814 was 1,851,330. Part of the discrepancy is attributable to overweight planchets, as in earlier years and part to misstruck cents. No more blanks could be ordered during the War of 1812 because there was an embargo on shipments to or from England.
All obverse dies of this year differ in treatment of the top lock. The two obverse dies with small date as in 1811 (thin center to 8) have narrow dential as formerly. The other two obverse dies have a larger date, as in 1813-14 (thick center stroke to 8), and broad dentils. Reverses continue to show narrow dentils, as formerly, through 1813.
| Key to 1812 |
| Description |
Sheldon |
Breen |
| Dash under E in ONE |
291 |
1 |
| Leaf under D below right side |
289 |
4 |
| Leaf under D centered |
|
|
| Small date |
290 |
2 |
| Large date |
288 |
3 |
|
Images courtesy of Ira
and Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.
Varieties (4):
Large Date
Sheldon 288
- Very Common
Sheldon 289
- Very Common
Small Date
Sheldon 290
- Common
Sheldon 291
- Common
Notes:
The finest "Small Date"
Brown example graded by PCGS is a single MS-64BN.
The finest "Small Date" Red-Brown examples graded by PCGS
are 2 MS-65RB's.
The finest "Large Date" Brown example graded by PCGS is a
single MS-66BN.
Significant
examples:
See variety listings
Recent
appearances:
See variety listings
Sources and/or recommended
reading:
"Penny Whimsy" by Dr. William H. Sheldon
"The PCGS Population Report, October 2003" by The
Professional Coin Grading Service |
