Classic Head Large Cents

John Reich designed the Classic Head cent, and his arrival at the Philadelphia Mint marked the first real infusion of new talent since Robert Scot had taken over as Chief Engraver in 1793. Reich was born in Germany, probably in Fürth, and came to the United States around 1800. The details of his early life are thin. Breen noted that Reich may have arrived as an indentured servant, though the evidence is circumstantial. What is clear is that by 1807 Mint Director Robert Patterson had hired him as an assistant engraver at a salary of $600 a year, a modest sum that Reich apparently complained about for years afterward. He was a better engraver than Scot, whose eyesight and skills had been declining, and Patterson gave him broad latitude to redesign the Mint's coinage across multiple denominations. Reich's half dollar and half eagle of 1807 came first; the cent followed in 1808.

1808–1814 Years struck

11 Date / variety entries

Philadelphia only Mints

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Key date Semi-key Variety Regular

Date	Variety	Mintage	Price Guide Estimates							Classification	CK #
Date	Variety	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	EF	AU	MS	Classification	CK #
1808	—	1,007,000	$121	$205	$470	$940	$2,005	—	—	REGULAR	CK-159
1809	—	222,867	$325	$650	$940	$1,620	$4,065	—	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-160
1810	—	1,458,500	$96	$183	$400	$810	$1,775	—	—	REGULAR	CK-161
1810	1810/09 Overdate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-162
1811	—	218,025	$225	$400	$650	$1,465	$3,210	—	—	SEMI-KEY	CK-163
1811	1811/0 Overdate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	VARIETY	CK-164
1812	Large Date	1,075,500	$96	$183	$400	$735	$1,775	—	—	REGULAR	CK-165
1812	Small Date	1,075,500	$96	$183	$400	$735	$1,775	—	—	REGULAR	CK-166
1813	—	418,000	$205	$325	$605	$990	$2,005	—	—	REGULAR	CK-167
1814	Crosslet 4	357,830	$86	$183	$400	$770	$1,620	—	—	REGULAR	CK-168
1814	Plain 4	357,830	$86	$183	$400	$770	$1,620	—	—	REGULAR	CK-169

1808 1809 1810 1810 1810/09 Overdate 1811 1811 1811/0 Overdate 1812 Large Date 1812 Small Date 1813 1814 Crosslet 4 1814 Plain 4