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1813

Large Cents · Classic Head Large Cents · 1808–1814
Regular
Weight10.89 g
Diameter29 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 418,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerJohn Reich
Collector's Key IDCK-167

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About this coinHistory

The 1813 large cent was struck during the second year of the War of 1812. Copper supply was becoming more difficult to secure as British naval blockades disrupted Atlantic trade, but the Mint managed to produce a meaningful output for the year. The 1813 is a moderately scarce date, harder to find than the high-mintage 1810 but not as challenging as the scarcer early years of the series.

The design is unchanged from previous years: Reich's Classic Head Liberty on the obverse, the wreath and denomination on the reverse. The coin circulated in a wartime economy where inflation and supply disruptions were affecting everyday commerce. Finding a problem-free 1813 in Fine requires some searching, and higher grades are genuinely uncommon.

The 1813 is one of the last three dates in the Classic Head large cent series. After 1814, no large cents would be struck until 1816, when the Coronet Head design replaced the Classic Head. The 1813, 1814, and the gap year of 1815 together document the impact of the War of 1812 on American copper coinage.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $205 $235
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $325 $375
F-12 Fine (F) $605 $695
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $990 $1,140
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $2,005 $2,310
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1813 Classic Head Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $205–$235, rising to roughly $2,005–$2,310 in Extremely Fine. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1813 Classic Head Large Cents were minted?
418,000 were struck.
What is a 1813 Classic Head Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1813 Classic Head Large Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1813 Classic Head Large Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.