Minted from 1808 to 1814, the Classic Head design by John Reich is often found in lower grades due to the soft, porous copper used during the War of 1812 era. This category explores the 13-star and 12-star (1808) varieties and provides tips for identifying original surfaces versus cleaned “environmental damage” coins.
The Classic Head (designed by John Reich) is a shorter-lived series characterized by a distinct “softness.” Due to the War of 1812, the Mint struggled to obtain high-quality copper, resulting in coins that were often struck on porous or dark planchets.
Collector’s Note: Finding a Classic Head with “Mint State” luster is nearly impossible. Most collectors settle for “Very Fine” examples with smooth, dark chocolate surfaces. Watch for the 1808 12-star variety (an engraver’s error) and the 1811 key date, which is the most sought-after year in this sub-sub-category.
The Classic Head Large Cent represents a fascinating, albeit brief, chapter in American numismatic history. Spanning only seven years from 1808 to 1814, this series marked a significant departure from the Draped Bust designs of the early republic. For the collector, the Classic Head is defined by its distinctive “soft” look—a result of both the…