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The 1849 Liberty Head Large Cent is a coin that is of the utmost importance to collectors both in the United States and around the world. Nowadays, the coin is sought after not only because of its attractive design, but also due to the fact that the piece represents a part of American history. Naturally, with fewer of these coins around all the time, now is the best time to get your hands on one.
On the obverse side of the Liberty Head Large Cent, the coin is equipped with the image of Lady Liberty directly in the center. Within a band that is resting upon Lady Liberty’s head, you will notice the word “Liberty” inscribed. Directly beneath the central image is another inscription, this one marking the 1849 year of minting. Finally, around the outside of the central imagery are 13 stars, each one representing one of the 13 original colonies of the United States.
On the reverse side of the coin, the center is marked by an inscription that indicates that “One Cent” face value. Surrounding the central face value is the image of an ornate wreath, which is especially intriguing considering the technology of the time. Finally, the phrase “United States of America” is seen surrounding the wreath. On both the obverse and reverse sides of the 1849 Liberty Head Large Cent, you will notice that the very outer edges of the coin are marked by raised rays, giving the coin a bit of added texture.
For collectors, the all too real incidence of people counterfeiting coins is something that they take very seriously. As time moves on, counterfeits become more difficult to decipher and increasingly realistic-looking. As a way of safeguarding themselves against counterfeits, collectors will only purchase those coins that have been graded and certified as being authentic. The following will outline the different coin grades as well as what they mean for the appearance of the 1849 Large Cent.
Uncirculated: If a coin is determined to be of Uncirculated grade, this means that the piece, quite literally, never made it out onto the open market. Because these coins never regularly exchanged hands, their condition today will be exactly like it was when they were first minted.
Extremely Fine: Extremely Fine is the grade given to coins that have been well protected throughout the years, but will not be entirely free from damage. These pieces might show a few minor signs of damage, but will, for the most part, appear to be in great shape. These pieces are highly sought after by collectors of all types.
Fine: Fine is the grade given to coins that have been both heavily circulated and show signs of that circulation. These pieces will show significant wearing on the surfaces of the coin, however the damage will not be so severe that any of the surface imagery has been compromised.
Good: Good is the grade given to the absolutely most worn coins around. These pieces will show very heavy signs of damage, ranging from deep scratching and chipping, to the complete wearing away of some of the surface imagery.
When it comes to determining the price you might be asked to pay for an 1849 Liberty Head Large Cent, this is something that can be determined by the condition the coin is in. Naturally, if the coin has been well-preserved it is going to carry a higher pricetag than coins that have been extremely heavily damaged. In order to find out how much oyu might be asked to pay for a graded 1849 Large Cent, refer to the chart below.
Large Cents
| DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1849 Liberty Head | $20 | $30 | $100 | $150 | Source: Red Book |
