1851 Liberty Head Large Cent

The 1851 Liberty Head Large Cent is a highly collectible coin that was first introduced such a long time ago. Though the coin is old, it is popular amongst collectors nowadays for a number of different reasons, ranging from its extremely attractive design to its overall historical significance.
On the obverse side of the Liberty Head Large Cent, the center of the coin features the image of Lady Liberty, depicted in stunning detail.

Inscribed within a band that is resting on her head is the word “Liberty,” while the 1851 year of minting is inscribed below the central image. Around the outside of the central imagery you will notice 13 stars, each one representing one of the 13 original colonies of the United States.

On the coin’s reverse, the center of the face is dominated by the “One Cent” face value inscription. Surrounding the central face value is an ornate wreath, depicted in incredible detail. There is one more inscription on the reverse, and this reads “United States of America.” Finally, the very outer edges of both sides of the coin are marked with rays, raised from the surface of the coin and giving the coin a bit more texture.

Grading the 1851 Liberty Head Large Cent

For collectors, not just any Liberty Head Large Cent is going to do. Because these coins are counterfeited quite frequently, the fact of the matter is that collectors will only purchase those 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 for the appearance of the Liberty Head Large Cent.

Uncirculated: A coin that is determined to be of Uncirculated grade is one that never made it out onto the open market. These coins, having never been circulated, will appear in absolutely perfect condition. As you might expect, these are the most popular with collectors.

Extremely Fine: A coin that is graded as Extremely Fine is one that might have made it out into circulation, but was taken out before long. These coins will show some very minor signs of wear, however will appear to be in mostly pristine condition.

Fine: Fine is the grade given to coins that have been circulated a good bit, but are not so heavily damaged. You will notice that there is some light scratching and smoothing on the surfaces, but none of the imagery or lettering will have been compromised.

Good: Good is the grade given to the worst of the worst Liberty Head Large Cents. These pieces have been circulated for an extremely long period of time and will show that damage. At the end of the day, some of the imagery and lettering will have been completely worn away.

Pricing the 1851 Liberty Head Large Cent

When it comes to determining the price of the Liberty Head Large Cent, the first thing someone must consider is the condition the coin is in. Naturally, it goes without saying that those coins that have been extremely well-preserved are those that will carry a higher price tag. In addition to this, you must look at how many are for sale at any given point in time. If there is only a small number, the price, per coin, will be a bit higher than if there were an abundance up for sale. The chart below is aimed at giving you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a graded 1851 Liberty Head Large Cent.

Large Cents

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1851 Liberty Head	$20	$30	$65	$125
Source: Red Book