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1795 Plain Edge

Large Cents · Liberty Cap Large Cents · 1793–1796
Regular
Weight13.48 g
Diameter29 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 501,500 Combined mintage for all 1795 varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerJoseph Wright / John Smith Gardner
Collector's Key IDCK-116

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About this coinHistory

The 1795 Plain Edge large cent was struck without the ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR edge inscription found on the Lettered Edge variety. The transition from lettered to plain edges on the large cent paralleled the same change on the half cent, driven by the same practical considerations: edge lettering required an extra production step, and the Mint was looking for ways to simplify the manufacturing process without compromising the coin's utility.

Plain Edge 1795 cents share the same obverse and reverse designs as their Lettered Edge counterparts. The difference is entirely in the edge treatment, which is a production variable rather than a design change. The obverse carries Scot's Liberty Cap portrait, and the reverse shows the wreath encircling ONE CENT and the fraction 1/100.

The Plain Edge variety is common relative to the other 1795 large cent varieties, though "common" in the context of 1790s copper coinage still means a coin that requires active searching in higher grades. Good to Fine examples are the most frequently encountered, with Very Fine and above becoming progressively scarcer. The coin saw genuine commercial use and was treated accordingly by the people who handled it.

For collectors building a variety set of 1795 large cents, the Plain Edge is one of the more accessible entries. It lacks the rarity premium of the Jefferson Head, the Starred Reverse, or the Reeded Edge, making it the budget-friendly choice for completing the date's variety checklist.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $20,095 $23,185
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $32,470 $37,470
F-12 Fine (F) $48,730 $56,225
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $78,055 $90,065
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $122,035 $140,810
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1795 Plain Edge Liberty Cap Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $20,095–$23,185, rising to roughly $122,035–$140,810 in Extremely Fine. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1795 Plain Edge Liberty Cap Large Cents were minted?
501,500 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1795 varieties).
What is a 1795 Plain Edge Liberty Cap Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 13.48 g.
What is the melt value of a 1795 Plain Edge Liberty Cap 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 1795 Plain Edge Liberty Cap Large Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.