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1814 Crosslet 4

Large Cents · Classic Head Large Cents · 1808–1814
Regular
Weight10.89 g
Diameter29 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 357,830 Combined mintage for all 1814 varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerJohn Reich
Collector's Key IDCK-168

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About this coinHistory

The 1814 Crosslet 4 large cent uses a date punch where the numeral 4 has small serifs or crosslets at the ends of its horizontal bar. The feature is the same crosslet/plain distinction found on other denominations of the period, determined by which specific 4 punch the engraver selected from the Mint's inventory.

The 1814 is the final year of the Classic Head large cent. After this date, no large cents were struck in 1815, and the denomination resumed in 1816 with the Coronet Head design. The 1814 carries terminal-date appeal as the last coin to bear John Reich's Classic Head portrait on the large cent.

The absence of large cents in 1815 was caused by the War of 1812's disruption of the copper supply. Britain's Boulton and Watt factory in Birmingham had been the primary source of copper planchets for American coinage, and the war cut off those shipments. By late 1814, the Mint had exhausted its copper stock. The 1814 Crosslet 4, along with the Plain 4 variety, represents the last of the available copper being struck into coins before the supply ran out entirely.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $86 $99
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $183 $210
F-12 Fine (F) $400 $460
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $770 $890
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $1,620 $1,870
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1814 Crosslet 4 Classic Head Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $86–$99, rising to roughly $1,620–$1,870 in Extremely Fine. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1814 Crosslet 4 Classic Head Large Cents were minted?
357,830 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1814 varieties).
What is a 1814 Crosslet 4 Classic Head Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1814 Crosslet 4 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 1814 Crosslet 4 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.