Design and Specifications of the Draped Bust Cent

The Draped Bust Cent was introduced in 1796 as part of a redesign of American coinage. It replaced the Liberty Cap cent and represented a more mature and classical depiction of Liberty. This series marked an important transition in early American coinage, reflecting the young nation’s aspirations for a more refined and dignified currency.
Weight 10.89 grams
Diameter 29 mm
Mint Marks None (all minted in Philadelphia)
Composition 100% copper
Obverse Design Bust of Liberty facing right with hair tied back and draped bust, designed by Robert Scot
Reverse Design Wreath surrounding denomination 'ONE CENT', designed by Robert Scot
Years of Minting 1796-1807

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Draped Bust Cents significantly impacts their value, with well-preserved examples commanding substantial premiums. Mint State specimens are extremely rare and valuable. Notable errors like the 1800 ‘NC-1’ (No Stems) variety can greatly increase a coin’s rarity and value. The series is known for its inconsistent striking quality, making high-grade examples particularly desirable to collectors.
1796 363,375 minted; first year of issue, highly sought after
1799 78,416 minted; one of the rarest dates in the series
1800 2,822,175 minted; includes scarce 'NC-1' variety
1804 756,838 minted; includes rare 'Restrike' variety

Explore Draped Bust Cent Values by Year

1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807

Most Valuable Draped Bust Cent

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1803 Penny Large Date, Small Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $5,500.00 – $92,500.00 –
1800 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $15,000.00 –
1799 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $2,250.00 – $500,000.00 –
1802 Penny 1/000, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $11,500.00 –
1798 Penny Second Hair Style, BN (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $12,000.00 –
1804 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $675.00 – $195,000.00 –
1807 Penny Large Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $7,750.00 –
1805 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $6,250.00 –
1801 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $11,750.00 –
1802 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $6,750.00 –
1797 Penny Reverse of 1797, No Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $40,000.00 –
1798 Penny First Hair Style, BN (Regular Strike) $85.00 – $12,750.00 –
1806 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $9,150.00 –
1801 Penny 1/000, BN (Regular Strike) $215.00 – $18,000.00 –
1797 Penny Reverse of 1797, Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $140.00 – $9,250.00 –
1803 Penny Small Date, Large Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $6,750.00 –
1807 Penny Comet, BN (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $18,500.00 –
1807/6 Penny Large 7, BN (Regular Strike) $110.00 – $7,500.00 –
1800/1798 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $14,000.00 –
1803 Penny Small Date, Small Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $7,500.00 –
1799/8 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $2,750.00 – $1,000,000.00 –
1796 Penny LIHERTY, BN (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $56,500.00 –
1798/7 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $27,500.00 –
1807/6 Penny Small 7, BN (Regular Strike) $2,050.00 – $210,000.00 –
1800/79 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $15,000.00 –
1799/8 Penny S-188, BN (Regular Strike) $2,750.00 – $1,000,000.00 –
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1794, BN (Regular Strike) $285.00 – $43,500.00 –
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $225.00 – $31,500.00 –
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1797, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $14,250.00 –
1797 Penny Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $45,000.00 –
1797 Penny Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $235.00 – $30,000.00 –
1798 Penny Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $19,250.00 –
1801 Penny 3 Errors Reverse, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $82,500.00 –
1801 Penny 100/000, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $55,500.00 –
1802 Penny No Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $13,500.00 –
1803 Penny Small Date, Sm Frac, RB (Regular Strike) – $22,500.00 – $140,000.00
1803 Penny Small Date, Lg Frac, RB (Regular Strike) – $7,500.00 – $285,000.00
1803 Penny Large Date, Large Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $70.00 – $41,500.00 –
1803 Penny 100/000, BN (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $11,500.00 –
1803 Penny No Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $11,000.00 –
1807 Penny Small Fraction, BN (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $56,500.00 –
1804 Penny Private Restrike, RB (Regular Strike) – $1,150.00 – $5,500.00
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1794, RB (Regular Strike) – $250,000.00
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1795, RB (Regular Strike) – $85,000.00 – $275,000.00
1796 Penny Draped, Reverse of 1797, RB (Regular Strike) – $27,500.00
1796 Penny LIHERTY, RB (Regular Strike) – $140,000.00
1796 Penny S-92, BN (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $27,500.00 –
1796 Penny S-93, BN (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $31,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-96, BN (Regular Strike) – $95,000.00
1796 Penny S-97, BN (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $10,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-98, BN (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $5,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-101, BN (Regular Strike) $650.00 – $32,500.00 –
1796 Penny S-108, BN (Regular Strike) $525.00 – $11,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-109, BN (Regular Strike) $650.00 – $40,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-110, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $40,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-112, BN (Regular Strike) – $47,500.00
1796 Penny S-94, BN (Regular Strike) $5,500.00 –
1796 Penny S-100, BN (Regular Strike) $20,500.00 –
1796 Penny S-105, BN (Regular Strike) $340.00 – $6,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-113, BN (Regular Strike) $19,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-114, BN (Regular Strike) $20,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-115, BN (Regular Strike) $325.00 – $15,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-117, BN (Regular Strike) $23,500.00 –
1796 Penny S-119, BN (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $14,250.00 –
1796 Penny NC-1, BN (Regular Strike) $6,000.00 – $15,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-103, LIHERTY, BN (Regular Strike) $750.00 – $50,000.00 –
1796 Penny S-104, LIHERTY, BN (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $14,500.00 –
1797 Penny Reverse of 1797, Stems, RB (Regular Strike) – $24,000.00 – $125,000.00
1797 Penny S-120b, Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $21,500.00 –
1797 Penny S-121b, Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $24,000.00 –
1797 Penny S-120a, Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $2,600.00 – $35,000.00 –
1797 Penny S-121a, Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $2,100.00 –
1797 Penny S-122, BN (Regular Strike) $900.00 –
1797 Penny S-124, BN (Regular Strike) $255.00 –
1797 Penny S-125, BN (Regular Strike) $2,850.00 –
1797 Penny S-130, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $6,500.00 –
1797 Penny S-134, BN (Regular Strike) $2,450.00 – $5,250.00 –
1797 Penny S-135, BN (Regular Strike) – $13,500.00 – $43,500.00
1797 Penny S-137, BN (Regular Strike) $155.00 – $5,750.00 –
1797 Penny S-138, BN (Regular Strike) $155.00 – $7,000.00 –
1797 Penny Sheldon 138, RB (Regular Strike) – $125,000.00
1797 Penny S-139, BN (Regular Strike) $155.00 – $6,500.00 –
1797 Penny Sheldon 139, RB (Regular Strike) – $65,000.00
1797 Penny S-140, BN (Regular Strike) $155.00 – $5,750.00 –
1797 Penny S-131, No Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $35,000.00 –
1797 Penny S-132, No Stems, BN (Regular Strike) $3,250.00 –
1798 Penny Second Hair Style, RB (Regular Strike) – $120,000.00
1798 Penny S-155, Reverse of 1795, BN (Regular Strike) $68.00 – $16,750.00 –
1798 Penny S-148, BN (Regular Strike) $915.00 – $3,700.00 –
1798 Penny S-154, BN (Regular Strike) $12,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-157, BN (Regular Strike) $110.00 – $11,000.00 –
1798 Penny S-161, BN (Regular Strike) $110.00 – $10,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-163, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 –
1798 Penny S-166, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $7,850.00 –
1798 Penny S-167, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-168, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-172, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-174, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-176, BN (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $7,000.00 –
1798 Penny S-179, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,850.00 –
1798 Penny S-181, BN (Regular Strike) $2,650.00 – $5,650.00 –
1798 Penny S-184, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $7,850.00 –
1798 Penny S-185, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,850.00 –
1798 Penny S-186, BN (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $7,500.00 –
1798 Penny S-187, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $7,850.00 –
1798/7 Penny S-150, BN (Regular Strike) $1,100.00 – $25,000.00 –
1798/7 Penny S-151, BN (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $15,000.00 –
1798/7 Penny S-152, BN (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $27,500.00 –
1799 Penny S-189, BN (Regular Strike) $2,000.00 – $500,000.00 –
1800 Penny, RB (Regular Strike) – $17,000.00 – $145,000.00
1800/1798 Penny, RB (Regular Strike) – $125,000.00
1800 Penny S-197, BN (Regular Strike) $165.00 – $15,000.00 –
1800 Penny S-197, RB (Regular Strike) – $60,000.00
1800 Penny S-198, BN (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $15,000.00 –
1800 Penny S-204, BN (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $15,750.00 –
1800 Penny S-205, BN (Regular Strike) $850.00 – $15,000.00 –
1800/1798 Penny S-190, BN (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $7,500.00 –
1800/1798 Penny S-191, BN (Regular Strike) $9,000.00 –
1800/1798 Penny NC-6, BN (Regular Strike) $500.00 –
1800/79 Penny S-192, BN (Regular Strike) $165.00 – $3,200.00 –
1800/79 Penny S-194, BN (Regular Strike) $165.00 – $13,500.00 –
1800/79 Penny S-196, BN (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $12,500.00 –
1801 Penny S-213, BN (Regular Strike) $400.00 – $8,250.00 –
1801 Penny S-215, BN (Regular Strike) $185.00 – $2,400.00 –
1801 Penny S-215, RB (Regular Strike) – $75,000.00
1801 Penny S-216, BN (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $8,500.00 –
1801 Penny S-217, BN (Regular Strike) $25,000.00 –
1801 Penny S-222, BN (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $8,500.00 –
1801 Penny S-224, BN (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $6,000.00 –

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Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

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