-
-
Monday-Friday 8-6 CST1-800-276-6508
The 1855 Liberty Head Large Cent is one of those coins that you will not find everywhere, but when you do find one it is a special occasion. These coins are very old and are a part of American history in and of themselves. For this reason and so many more, they are highly collectible in the eyes of collectors from the US and around the world.
On the obverse side of the Liberty Head, the image of Lady Liberty is depicted in the center facing leftward. Resting upon her head is a band, and within that band the word “Liberty” is inscribed. Underneath the central image there is another inscription, this one marking the 1855 year of minting. Around the outside of the obverse you will notice 13 stars, each one representing the 13 original colonies of the United States.
On the coin’s reverse, the only thing in the very center of the coin is an inscription marking the “One Cent” face value. Surrounding the central face value there is the image of an ornate wreath depicted in stunning detail. Around the outside of all of this, there is another inscription which reads “United States of America.” On the very outer edges of both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin there are raised rays, which give the coin a bit of added texture.
For collectors, there is a large incidence of counterfeits circulating around the market nowadays. As unfortunate as this is, collectors do anything and everything in their power to protect themselves from falling victim to a counterfeit coin. As such, they will only buy coins that have been graded and certified as being authentic. Below, there is an outline of the different coin grades as well as what they mean.
Uncirculated: A coin that is determined to be of Uncirculated grade is one that never made its way out onto the open market. These pieces will be in such good condition, they will appear today in the same condition they were in back in 1855.
Extremely Fine: A coin determined to be of Extremely Fine grade is one that was probably never circulated, but will show some signs of damage. Though the damage you will find is small and insignificant, it is still there and takes away from the grade.
Fine: A coin determined to be of Fine grade is one that has spent years upon years in circulation, but has not been so heavily damaged. You will notice light scratching and smoothing on the surfaces of the coin, but all of the raised imagery and lettering will be intact.
Good: Good is the worst grade a coin can receive and is indicative of a coin that has been both heavily circulated and damaged. On occasion, the damage on the coins will be so severe that the surface imagery and lettering might have been completely worn away.
When it comes to determining the price you might be asked to pay for an 1855 Liberty Head Large Cent, you really do not need to look much further than the condition the coin is in. The more well-preserved a coin is, the more likely it is that it will carry a higher price than a similar coin in slightly worse condition. In addition, the quantity of coins for sale also plays into the price. If there are only a few on the market, they will carry a higher price than if there were an abundance. Below, there is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what to expect to pay for a graded 1855 Liberty Head.
Large Cents
| DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1855 Liberty Head | $20 | $30 | $65 | $125 | Source: Red Book |
