Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent Values & Mintages
After the copper shortage of the war years, the cent returned in 1816 with a heavier-featured Liberty wearing a coronet, nicknamed the "Matron Head". Mintages were large and the design was workmanlike, so these are the most affordable early large cents.
- Years
- 1816–1839
- Issues listed
- 49
- Lowest mintage
- 389K
- Diameter
- 28–29 mm
Original illustration. Tap to flip.
From 1835 the portrait was gradually modified, producing several transitional "head" varieties before the Braided Hair design took over in 1839.
Designer: Robert Scot.
Key dates: lowest mintages
See all 49 →Famous varieties & errors
Every Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent by year and mint
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Composition by year
| Years | Metal | Weight | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1816–1839 | 100% copper | 10.89 g | – |
Mint mark location
1816–1839: No mint mark. All struck in Philadelphia.
Grading tips
Wear first shows on the hair curls, the coronet and the leaves of the wreath. Mint-red coins exist from hoards, but most survivors are brown.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rarest Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent?
By mintage, the scarcest regular circulation issue is the 1821 Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent with 389,000 struck, followed by the 1823 Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent (1,262,000). Survival rates and condition also matter: some higher-mintage dates are scarce in top grades.
Are Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cents silver?
1816–1839: 100% copper.
Where is the mint mark on a Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent?
1816–1839: No mint mark. All struck in Philadelphia.
How many Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cents were made?
About 64,085,073 for circulation across 24 date and mint combinations, from 6,370,200 for the 1838 Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent down to 389,000 for the 1821 Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent.
Who designed the Coronet (Matron Head) Large Cent?
Robert Scot.
Other cents
Flowing Hair Large Cent
1793 · 2 issues
Liberty Cap Large Cent
1793–1796 · 6 issues
Draped Bust Large Cent
1796–1807 · 13 issues
Classic Head Large Cent
1808–1815 · 8 issues
Braided Hair Large Cent
1839–1857 · 39 issues
Flying Eagle Cent
1856–1858 · 7 issues
Indian Head Cent
1859–1909 · 108 issues
Lincoln Wheat Cent
1909–1958 · 178 issues
Lincoln Memorial Cent
1959–2008 · 166 issues
Lincoln Bicentennial Cent
2009 · 20 issues
Lincoln Shield Cent
2010–present · 52 issues
Mintages from Wikipedia's US Mint-sourced tables (CC BY-SA 4.0). Specifications from US Mint records. All sources.