Flowing Hair large cents include the controversial 1793 Chain reverse, its rapid Wreath replacement, and the Liberty Cap issues that carried the first federal cent through 1796.

This guide covers Philadelphia large cents dated 1793–1796 across the Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap catalog types and their recorded edge and die subtypes.

Core specifications

Issue period
1793–1796
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
1,677,374
Composition
100% Copper
Diameter
Varies by type
Weight
13.48 g

The new Mint learns in public

The Philadelphia Mint delivered federal cents in 1793. Their size reflected the copper value expected in the coin, while their designs had to make a new national currency understandable.

Criticism of the Chain reverse led to a quick wreath redesign, followed by a Liberty Cap portrait. The rapid changes make 1793 alone a multi-type collecting story.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty's hair, cap, and portrait style change across the Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap types; the date remains below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

The first reverse uses a chain of links, followed by wreath designs enclosing ONE CENT and the fraction 1/100.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796; 1,677,374. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A three-type 1793 set is historically powerful but difficult; most collectors begin with one later Liberty Cap cent before studying die varieties.

  • 1793 P - All Varieties — 36,103. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1793 P - All Varieties — 63,353. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1793 P — 11,056. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1794 P - Head of 1794 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1796 P — 109,825. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - All Varieties1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - AMERI in Legend1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - AMERICA With Periods1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - AMERICA Without Periods1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - All Varieties1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Vines and Bars Edge1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Lettered Edge1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Strawberry Leaf1793 P Flowing Hair Large Cent1794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - All Varieties1794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Head of 17931794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Head of 17941794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Head of 17951794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Exact Head of 17951794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Starred Reverse1794 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - No Fraction Bar1795 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Plain Edge1795 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Lettered Edge - One Cent High in Wreath1795 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Reeded Edge1795 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Jefferson Head - Plain Edge1795 P Flowing Hair Large Cent - Jefferson Head - Lettered Edge1796 P Flowing Hair Large Cent

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 22 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. History of U.S. Circulating Coins — United States Mint
  2. Penny: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Flowing Hair Large Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts