1848 Liberty Head Large Cent

The 1848 Liberty Head Large Cent is one of those coins that is attractive just about every coin collector. Not only is it very old, it is of great historical significant simply because of the time period during which it was minted. Bring that the total number of these coins is decreasing steadily over time, there has never been a better time to get your hands on one.

On the obverse side of the 1848 Large Cent you will find in the center the image of Lady Liberty. A band which is resting on her had has the word “Liberty” inscribed in it, while the 1848 year of minting is inscribed just below the central image. Arching over the central image and almost surrounding it are 13 stars, representative of the 13 original colonies of the United States.

The coin’s reverse is a good bit simpler, and instead of any imagery in the center you will find the “One Cent” face value inscribed. Surrounding the central face value is a detailed wreath. Around the outside of that is another inscription, this one reading “United States of America.” Finally, it must also be mentioned that the very outer edges of the Large Cent feature raised rays, which give the coin a bit of added texture.

Grading the 1848 Liberty Head Large Cent

When it comes to the 1848 Liberty Head Large Cent, collectors are fully aware that these coins are counterfeited quite frequently. Though this is a reality, collectors protect themselves from this by only purchasing certified, graded coins. Below, we have outlined the different coin grades as well as what those grades mean for the appearance of the 1848 Large Cent.

Uncirculated: If a coin is determined to be of Uncirculated grade, this means that the piece in question never made it out to the open market for circulation. Because of this, and because the coins were kept in safekeeping, they will appear today to be in excellent, perfect condition.

Extremely Fine: A coin that is determined to be of Extremely Fine grade is one that will be in perfect condition save for a few small, minor flaws. Whether it is a single scratch, or perhaps a chip, the damage will be hardly noticeable more often than not.

Fine: If a coin is determined to be of Fine grade, this means that the coin was probably circulated extensively, but is not extremely damaged. You will notice consistent, light scratching and smoothing, but none of this will be so significant that any of the surface imagery or lettering will have been worn away.

Good: Good is the worst grade a coin can receive and is indicative of a piece that has been both heavily circulated and damaged. In fact, some of the damage might be so severe that the surface imagery and lettering—at least part of it—might be entirely worn away.

Pricing the 1848 Liberty Head Large Cent

In terms of the price you might be asked to pay for an 1848 Liberty Head Large Cent, this much can be determined by the condition the coin is in. Naturally, it follows that the more well-preserved a coin is, the more it is going to cost. Beyond this, it all comes down to how many are available. If there are only a handful of 1848 Liberty Heads on the market, they will be more expensive than another year’s Liberty Head with a larger quantity for sale.

Large Cents

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1848 Liberty Head	$20	$30	$75	$130
Source: Red Book