1847 Liberty Head Large Cent

The 1847 Liberty Head Large Cent is a coin that was produced by the US Mint a very long time ago, but is popular as ever amongst collectors nowadays. No matter where in the world you go, collectors are going to want to get their hands on these coins. With that being said, the number of coins available is decreasing all the time, meaning you should act fast if you want to add one to your collection.

On the obverse side of the 1847 Large Cent, the image of Lady Liberty is situated directly in the center. Inscribed within a band that is sitting on Lady Liberty’s head is the word “Liberty.” Directly beneath the central image is another inscription indicating the 1847 year of minting. Finally, almost completely encircling the central image are 13 stars, representative of the 13 original colonies of the United States.

The reverse side of the coin is a good bit simpler than the obverse, and features the “One Cent” face value inscribed in the center. Surrounding the central face value is a wreath that is depicted in great detail. Around this is one more inscription, this one reading “United States of America.” On the outer edges of both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin, there are rays which add a bit of texture to the coin.

Grading the 1847 Liberty Head Large Cent

Being that this coin is so old and so sought after, it only follows that it is counterfeited quite frequently. In order to protect themselves from this unscrupulous practice, collectors insist that any and all 1847 Liberty Heads have to be graded and certified as being authentic. Below, we have outlined the different coin grades as well as what they mean.

Uncirculated: If a coin is determined to be of Uncirculated grade, the coin in question will have never made it out to the open market and exchanged hands. Instead, these pieces were kept in safekeeping from the day they were minted. As such, it makes sense that these coins are in absolutely pristine condition.

Extremely Fine: An Extremely Fine 1847 Liberty Head Large Cent will be in almost perfect condition, save for a few minor flaws. Whether it is a few scratches or some other blemish, there will be some damage on the surface of the coin. Despite this, the coin’s condition will still be impeccable.

Fine: Fine is the grade given to coins that have been circulated extensively, but not damaged to an insane degree. You will notice some light scratching and smoothing on the surfaces, but all of the raised imagery and lettering will still be intact.

Good: Good is the grade given to coins that have been both heavily circulated and heavily damaged. From heavy scratching to deep chips, these coins will have seen their better days. On occasion, the damage is so severe that some of the surface imagery and lettering will have been worn away entirely.

Pricing the 1847 Liberty Head Large Cent

In terms of determining a price tag for the 1847 Liberty Head Large Cent, this is something that can be done by first assessing the condition of the coin. It only makes sense that the coins that are well-preserved are the ones that carry higher prices. In addition, if there are only a small number of coins available for sale, the price per coin will increase. Below, you will find a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what the cost of a graded 1847 Large Cent might be.

Large Cents

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1847 Liberty Head	$20	$30	$75	$135
Source: Red Book