Wreath cent
{{Short description|One-cent coin issued by the United States Mint in 1793}}
{{Infobox Coin|Country=United states|Denomination=Flowing Hair large cent, wreath reverse|Value=0.01 U.S. Dollar|Mass=13.48|Diameter_inch=|Diameter=26-27|Thickness_inch=|Thickness=|Edge=Decorated with bars and vines|Composition=100% Cu|Years of Minting=1793|Mint marks=None, all large cents were minted at the Philadelphia Mint|Catalog Number=|Obverse=File:NNC-US-1793-1C-Flowing Hair Cent (wreath) (obverse).jpg|Obverse Design=Liberty|Obverse Designer=Henry Voigt|Obverse Design Date=1793|Reverse=File:NNC-US-1793-1C-Flowing Hair Cent (wreath) (reverse).jpg|Reverse Design=Wreath|Reverse Designer=Henry Voigt|Reverse Design Date=1793}}The Wreath cent was an American large cent. It was the second design type, following the Chain cent in 1793. It was produced only during that year.
Obverse design
The obverse design consisted of a stylized Liberty head with flowing hair. The inscription "LIBERTY" appeared above the portrait. Below it was a three-leaved sprig and the date.[http://www.mocavo.com/Illustrated-History-of-the-United-States-Mint-With-a-Complete-Description-of-American-Coinage-From-the-Earliest-Period-to-the-Present-Time/102767/114 "Illustrated History of the United States Mint With a Complete Description of American Coinage" Page 78, 1890] The design of the Liberty head was modified somewhat from that of the Chain cent to address public criticism.{{Cn|date=December 2023}}
Reverse design
The reverse's central design figure, for which the coin is named, was a wreath. The words "ONE CENT" appeared within the wreath, and the corresponding fraction {{sfrac|1|100}} appeared beneath it. Along the outer edge was inscribed "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". A decorative beaded border was added along the rim.{{cite web |title=Type 2, Wreath Cent |url=https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/half-cents/flowing-hair-large-cent/type-2-wreath-cent-1793/657 |website=pcgs.com |publisher=Collectors Universe, LLC. |access-date=2 May 2025}}{{cite book |last1=Breen |first1=Walter |last2=Borckhardt |first2=Mark R. |title=Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814 |date=2000}}
Varieties
Approximately 63,353 Wreath cents were struck. Early specimens featured a stylized "vine/bars" design on the edges of the planchet, which was identical to that of the earlier Chain cent. Later on, this was changed to a lettered edge reading {{small|ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR}}. Early American copper collectors generally categorize the coins still further into thirteen different varieties under the Sheldon system.{{citation |url=https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/half-cents/flowing-hair-large-cent/type-2-wreath-cent-1793/657 |title=Type 2, Wreath Cent |publisher=Collectors Universe, Inc.}}{{citation |url=http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cents/1793_wreath_cents/1793_wreath_cent_varieties.htm |title=1793 Wreath Cent Varieties |publisher=Collectors Universe, Inc.}} Most of these variations entail relatively minor changes, and often require careful examination to discern. One variety, however, is far more recognizable: the "Strawberry Leaf". On these strikings, the trefoil sprig above the date took the form of a strawberry (Fragaria) plant. Only four such specimens are known, and all are heavily circulated. The finest known Strawberry Leaf cent sold at auction for $414,000 in November 2004.{{citation |url=http://maineantiquedigest.com/articles_archive/articles/feb05/coin0205.htm |title=Rare 1793 U.S. Cent Found in Maine Sells for $414,000 |last=Kyle |first=Robert |publisher=Maine Antique Digest |date=2005}}
Collecting
As the second of three different large cent types struck in 1793, the Wreath cent is desired by both large cent collectors and type collectors alike, which is partially responsible for its continued high demand.{{cite book |last1=Thorne |first1=Mike |title=Collect All 17 U.S. Cent Types |date=January 2019 |publisher=Coins Magazine (Krause Publications)}}
References
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics|United States}}
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| before = Chain cent
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{{s-ttl
| title = United States one-cent coin
| years = (1793)
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| after = Liberty Cap cent
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{{United States circulating coinage}}{{Coinage (United States)}}