Key Features:
- Year: 1802
- Denomination: 1 Cent (Large Cent)
- Series: Draped Bust (1796–1807)
- Grade: XF (Extra Fine) Details (NGC)
- Condition Note: Whizzed (surface has been altered to appear shinier, reducing its originality)
Design:
- Obverse: The obverse features the Draped Bust design of Lady Liberty, facing right, with flowing hair. The inscription “LIBERTY” is placed above her, and the date “1802” is found at the bottom of the coin.
- Reverse: The reverse showcases a simple, elegant wreath surrounding the denomination “ONE CENT,” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircling the wreath. The fraction “1/100” appears beneath the wreath, referencing the coin’s value.
Importance:
The 1802 Large Cent is a significant piece for collectors due to its age and place in early American coinage. This particular coin, despite being whizzed, holds numismatic value due to its XF details, which indicate that much of the original design remains visible, with moderate wear.
Condition and Impact of Whizzing:
The term whizzed implies that the coin has undergone a form of mechanical cleaning or buffing that artificially alters the surface. While this can enhance the coin’s initial appearance by giving it an unnatural sheen, it significantly reduces its numismatic value, as it diminishes the original surfaces that collectors seek. Nevertheless, a whizzed coin still holds appeal for collectors who prioritize the coin’s historical significance or date over surface originality.
Collectibility:
Despite its altered surface, the 1802 Large Cent remains a desirable piece for collectors of early U.S. coinage, especially those focusing on the Draped Bust series. Coins from this period are scarce in higher grades, and an XF Details example like this one retains sharp details, particularly in the wreath, Liberty’s portrait, and key lettering. While its market value may be lower than an unaltered coin, it still holds historical significance and interest for collectors of early copper coins.
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