Draped Bust Cents

(1796-1807)

At no other time in American history was the one cent coin so important as it was in the closing years of the 18th century. Although cumbersome, the large copper coins were useful for very small transactions, unlike the wide variety of foreign coins then in circulation. Yet the Mint’s ability to create dies and procure quality copper for these vital coins was hampered by inadequate machinery, inexperienced employees and lack of funds, not to mention frequent epidemics of yellow fever. It often cost more to produce a coin than its face value. Though these failings could be explained as the growing pains of a new enterprise, Congress on several occasions almost gave up on the business of making coins and considered turning the matter over to private companies.

The young Mint was frequently attacked as inefficient. Actually, if one were to characterize the early years of the Philadelphia facility.... (Expand Text)

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1803 DRAPED BUST 1C, SMALL DATE, LG FRAC MS64 Red Brown CACG

SMALL DATE, LARGE FRACTION. LOVELY RED LIGHT BROWNISH PATINA. JUST A SINGLE COIN GRADED HIGHER. CAC.
$49,500.00

1804 DRAPED BUST 1C AU55 Brown PCGS

VERY CHOICE GLOSSY SURFACES WITH LUSTER APPARENT. S-266. JUST THREE COINS GRADED HIGHER AT PCGS.
$209,000.00

1805 DRAPED BUST 1C MS65+ Brown CACG

GEM CHOCOLATE BROWN LUSTROUS SURFACES. S-267. SECOND HIGHEST GRADED. CAC.
$88,000.00

1807 DRAPED BUST 1C, COMET MS65 Red Brown PCGS

COMET VARIETY. GEM RED BROWN GLOSSY SURFACES. TIED WITH ONE OTHER COIN FOR HIGHEST GRADED. S-271.
$95,500.00

1807/6 DRAPED BUST 1C, LARGE 7 MS64 Brown PCGS

LARGE 7. GEM PARTIALLY RED SATIN LUSTROUS SURFACES. S-273. CAC.
$77,000.00

1807/6 DRAPED BUST 1C, LARGE 7 MS66 Brown PCGS

LARGE 7. GEM GLOSSY BROWN PLANCHET. S-273. SOLE HIGHEST GRADED AT PCGS
$142,500.00