The 1799 Draped Bust Large Cent stands as one of the most coveted and historically significant American copper coins. For collectors of early American coinage, this issue represents both extreme rarity and historical importance, creating perpetual demand that far exceeds available supply. This comprehensive analysis covers authentication guidelines, accurate valuation information, and detailed variety analysis to aid collectors in properly identifying and valuing genuine specimens.
Specifications and Production Context
The 1799 Draped Bust Large Cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint with the following technical specifications:
- Diameter: 29mm (with slight variations due to hand production)
- Weight: 10.89 grams (168 grains) nominal, with tolerance range of approximately ±0.5 grams
- Composition: Pure copper
- Edge: Plain
- Designer: Robert Scot (obverse) and John Smith Gardner/Robert Scot (reverse)
- Die Orientation: Coin alignment (180° rotation)
The United States Mint struck these pennies under challenging circumstances, with primitive equipment that relied heavily on manual labor. Each planchet was prepared by hand, and striking was accomplished using a screw press operated by men pulling on a weighted bar. This production method created natural inconsistencies in strike quality and overall appearance.
Mintage and Survival Rate
Official Mint records document a mere 42,540 cents dated 1799, representing the lowest mintage figure for any regular-issue Draped Bust cent. This exceptionally low production was due primarily to copper shortages and the yellow fever epidemic that disrupted Philadelphia Mint operations.
According to research by prominent numismatic scholars, the estimated survival rate of 1799 cents is exceptionally low:
- Total surviving specimens across all grades: 700-800 examples
- Problem-free specimens: Fewer than 400 examples
These survival figures make the 1799 cent rarer than many contemporary gold issues despite its nominally lower market value.
Major Die Varieties
The 1799 cent exists in several recognized die varieties, each with distinct characteristics that can significantly impact value. All varieties employ the Sheldon obverse 19, paired with different reverse dies:
Normal Date Varieties
- S-189 (Sheldon-189): The most commonly encountered variety, showing a normal date with evenly spaced digits.
- Key Diagnostic Points:
- 1 in date positioned directly under center of lowest curl
- Reverse shows relatively narrow stems in wreath
- Die crack often visible through “UNITED”
- Key Diagnostic Points:
- S-190: Distinguished by positioning of date and specific reverse die characteristics.
- Key Diagnostic Points:
- Date positioned slightly higher in relation to bust
- Clear double punching visible on “AMERICA”
- “E” in “UNITED” shows repunching
- Key Diagnostic Points:
Overdate Variety
- S-191 (1799/8 Overdate): The most valuable variety showing clear evidence of 1799 punched over 1798.
- Key Diagnostic Points:
- Bold remnants of 8 visible under final 9
- Lower loop of underlying 8 extends below bottom of 9
- Upper curve of 8 visible within upper loop of 9
- Key Diagnostic Points:
Authentication Tips
Given the value of 1799 cents, counterfeits are prevalent in the marketplace. Authentic specimens will display:
- Proper copper composition with characteristic coloration (deep chocolate to medium brown being most natural)
- Die characteristics matching known genuine dies (S-189, S-190, or S-191)
- Appropriate porosity consistent with late 18th-century copper
- Weight within tolerance of the 168-grain standard
- Proper edge characteristics without evidence of seams (cast counterfeits often show seam lines)
Bold Authentication Warning: Nearly all high-grade (EF or better) 1799 cents encountered in the market should be approached with extreme skepticism. Professional certification is strongly recommended before any significant purchase.
Grading Considerations
Grading early copper presents unique challenges due to planchet quality issues, strike inconsistencies, and two centuries of potential environmental damage. The 1799 cent specifically tends to display the following grade-specific characteristics:
Good-4
- Complete rim visible around most of coin
- Date fully legible
- LIBERTY partially visible
- Major design elements present but heavily worn
Fine-12
- All letters in LIBERTY clear but worn
- Hair details partially visible with distinct separation
- Wreath details on reverse show clear definition
- Date bold with all digits clear
Very Fine-20
- All major design elements distinct
- Hair curls show clear separation
- Wreath details well-defined
- Liberty’s facial features clear but with moderate wear
Extremely Fine-40
- Hair curls sharply defined with minimal wear on high points
- Drapery lines clear
- Wreath details sharp with distinct berries
- Minor circulation wear visible primarily on highest elements
About Uncirculated-50
- Minimal circulation wear
- At least 50% of original mint luster present
- Some slight friction on highest points
- Full strike details visible
Mint State-60 and above
- Full original detail with no wear
- Varying degrees of luster and surface quality
- Extremely rare in any Mint State grade
- Only 3-5 examples known above MS-60
Notable Grading Challenge: Corrosion and environmental damage are commonly mistaken for wear. Proper grading requires distinguishing between actual circulation wear and surface problems.
Also Read: 1798 Draped Bust Penny Value, Varieties, and Errors
Current Market Values
Values for the 1799 Draped Bust cent vary significantly based on variety, condition, and specific characteristics. The following table provides current market values based on recent PCGS Price Guide data and Heritage Auction results (as of March 2024):
S-189 (Normal Date)
| Grade | PCGS Value | Recent Auction Range |
| Good-4 | $5,000-$6,500 | $4,800-$7,200 |
| VG-8 | $7,000-$8,500 | $6,800-$9,200 |
| Fine-12 | $10,000-$12,000 | $9,500-$13,500 |
| VF-20 | $16,000-$19,000 | $15,000-$21,000 |
| EF-40 | $35,000-$45,000 | $32,000-$48,000 |
| AU-50 | $70,000-$85,000 | $65,000-$95,000 |
| MS-60+ | $200,000+ | $180,000-$250,000 |
S-191 (1799/8 Overdate)
| Grade | PCGS Value | Recent Auction Range |
| Good-4 | $7,500-$9,000 | $7,000-$10,000 |
| VG-8 | $10,000-$12,500 | $9,800-$14,000 |
| Fine-12 | $15,000-$18,000 | $14,000-$20,000 |
| VF-20 | $25,000-$30,000 | $23,000-$35,000 |
| EF-40 | $50,000-$65,000 | $48,000-$70,000 |
| AU-50 | $100,000-$125,000 | $95,000-$140,000 |
| MS-60+ | $300,000+ | $275,000-$350,000+ |
Value Trend Note: The market for high-quality 1799 cents has shown consistent appreciation, with specimens in VF-20 or better condition appreciating approximately 5-8% annually over the past decade, outperforming many other numismatic investments.
Notable Error Types
Despite the small mintage, the 1799 cent exhibits several distinctive error types that command premium values over standard examples:
1. Die Breaks and Cracks
The most common error type occurs due to die fatigue, presenting as raised lines on the coin surface.
- Major Die Break Examples:
- Late-state S-189 with prominent die crack through “UNITED” commands 20-30% premium
- S-190 with reverse rim break near “STATES” valued at 15-25% premium
2. Strike Errors
Due to primitive striking methods, several strike-related errors occur:
- Off-Center Strikes: Examples exist showing 5-20% off-center striking. A 15% off-center 1799 cent in Fine condition sold at Heritage Auctions in 2020 for $21,600.
- Planchet Flaws: Pre-strike planchet defects appear as irregular surfaces or laminations. These typically reduce value by 20-50% depending on severity, though well-documented historical examples may command premiums.
3. Multiple Strikes
Extremely rare multiple-struck examples exist, showing evidence of more than one strike, often with slight rotation between impressions. Such errors are extraordinarily valuable, with a documented double-struck 1799 cent in VF condition selling for $38,400 at a 2018 specialist auction.
Condition Census and Notable Specimens
The finest known examples of 1799 cents, forming the “condition census,” include:
- Eliasberg Specimen: MS-65 BN (PCGS), considered the finest known example of S-189 variety
- Newman Specimen: MS-64 BN (NGC), notable for exceptional surface quality
- Naftzger Collection: MS-63 BN (PCGS), featuring exceptional strike and original surfaces
- Pogue Collection: MS-62 BN (PCGS), 1799/8 overdate variety
Recent Notable Sale: The finest known 1799/8 overdate (S-191) in MS-62 BN sold at Heritage Auctions in January 2023 for $432,000, establishing a new record for the variety.
Preservation Considerations
Proper preservation of 1799 cents requires understanding their unique metallurgical properties:
- Early American copper is particularly susceptible to environmental damage due to its relatively pure composition
- Original surfaces should never be cleaned, as even gentle cleaning will permanently impair value
- Proper storage requires stable humidity (30-40%) and stable temperature
- PVC-free holders are essential, as PVC plastics can create irreversible chemical reactions with copper
Bold Preservation Warning: Attempts to improve the appearance of 1799 cents through cleaning, dipping, or artificial toning will significantly reduce value, often by 50% or more.
FAQs for Collectors
How can I definitively authenticate a 1799 Large Cent?
Professional authentication from PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended for any 1799 cent. Beyond third-party certification, authentic specimens must match known die varieties, exhibit proper weight and diameter, show appropriate edge characteristics, and display natural copper aging appropriate to the grade. The 1799/8 overdate is particularly susceptible to counterfeiting, and close examination of the overdate feature is essential.
What makes the 1799 cent so much more valuable than other early large cents?
The 1799’s exceptional value stems from its status as the key date in the Draped Bust series, having the lowest mintage (42,540) of any business strike early cent. Its production during a yellow fever epidemic that caused Mint disruptions further reduced survival rates. With fewer than 800 examples known across all grades, demand from both date collectors and type collectors creates perpetual market pressure on this issue.
How should I evaluate dark or corroded 1799 cents?
Dark or corroded specimens still hold significant value if the coin is genuine. When evaluating such pieces, focus on confirming authenticity, then assess how much of the original detail remains visible. Many 1799 cents have survived in problematic condition, and while this reduces value substantially, even heavily corroded genuine examples with clearly visible dates typically command $1,500-$3,000 if properly authenticated.
Are any 1799 cent die varieties still being discovered?
While the three major varieties (S-189, S-190, S-191) have been known for decades, subtle die state progression continues to be documented. Most recently, a previously undocumented late die state of S-189 showing complete failure of the reverse die was identified in 2019. Specialists continue to identify die deterioration stages that help establish striking sequence, though entirely new die combinations are unlikely to be discovered.
How do copper large cents fit into a diversified coin investment strategy?
Early large cents, particularly key dates like the 1799, have historically provided stable long-term appreciation with less volatility than precious metals issues. Their limited supply and consistent collector demand create a reliable value floor. For optimal investment potential, focus on problem-free examples in VF or better condition with original surfaces and natural coloration, preferably in PCGS or NGC holders with CAC approval when possible.
