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1800 1800/79 Overdate

Large Cents · Draped Bust Large Cents · 1796–1807
Variety
Weight10.89 g
Diameter29 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 2,822,175 Combined mintage for all 1800 varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerRobert Scot
Collector's Key IDCK-135

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About this coinHistory

The 1800/79 overdate large cent shows the final two digits of 1800 punched over the 79 of an underlying 1799 date. The remnant of the 7 is visible beneath the second 0, and traces of the 9 appear beneath the final 0. The Mint had an 1799 die available and updated it to 1800 by overpunching the last two digits rather than discarding the die and starting fresh.

Given the extreme rarity of the 1799 date, the existence of an 1800/79 overdate raises an interesting question: how many potential 1799 cents were "lost" by converting 1799 dies to 1800 use? The overdate die produced 1800-dated coins, removing those coins from the 1799 mintage and contributing indirectly to the 1799's scarcity. Specialists have noted this irony without being able to quantify its impact.

The 1800/79 is a recognized Sheldon variety and carries a collector premium. Identification requires examining the last two digits of the date for traces of the underlying 79. Certified examples with the attribution confirmed simplify the purchase for collectors who are not yet fluent in overdate diagnostics.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF)
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF)
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1800 1800/79 Overdate Draped Bust Large Cents were minted?
2,822,175 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1800 varieties).
What is a 1800 1800/79 Overdate Draped Bust Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1800 1800/79 Overdate Draped Bust 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 1800 1800/79 Overdate Draped Bust Large Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.