The exact mintage for the 1799 Draped Bust Large Cent (Buy on eBay) is unknown. It is generally assumed that it was included in the delivery reports for 1798, which indicated 1,841,745 pieces struck for circulation. The usual estimate for the number of pieces dated 1799 is approximately 30,000, of which there remains an estimated 1,000 survivors.
The year is represented by only two major varieties and three different die combinations. The variety “9 over 8” is scarcer than the variety identified as “normal date.” High grade examples of the 1799 Large Cent are very rare, as most examples are well circulated and often porous, corroded, or otherwise damaged. An example of the “9 over 8” variety graded EF-45 sold for $368,000 at an auction in September 2009.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Robert Scot
- Composition: 100% Copper
- Weight: 10.89 grams
- Diameter: 29 mm
- Edge: Plain
