1798 Large Cent Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1798 Large Cent came in several distinct varieties, each commanding different prices in today’s market. Collectors pay attention to details like hair styles and reverse designs when evaluating these early copper coins.

The 1798 Large Cent value varies considerably based on these features. A Second Hair Style example in Good condition starts around $192, while rarer pieces like the Reverse of 1795 variety reach $3,772 in Fine grade.

Condition and variety work together to determine what your coin is worth, and recognizing these differences makes all the difference when buying or selling.

 

1798 Large Cent Value By Variety

The pricing structure for 1798 cents reflects both the specific variety you’re examining and how well it has survived over two centuries. Below are the established market values for each major type.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

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Top 10 Most Valuable 1798 Large Cent Worth Money

There are significant price variations among high-grade 1798 cents. Rarity and condition combine to create these substantial differences.

A Second Hair Style specimen graded MS65 reached $207,000 at a 2008 Goldberg Auctioneers sale, setting the benchmark for this date. Finding Mint State examples in any variety remains challenging, which explains why pristine survivors command such premiums.

Overdate varieties also perform strongly at auction. The 1798/7 in MS62 brought $103,500, while another overdate variety achieved $67,563 despite grading only MS61. These visible minting errors attract specialized collectors willing to pay accordingly.

Scarcity at higher grade levels drives most of these values. Well-preserved 1798 cents simply don’t appear often, which keeps competition intense whenever quality pieces reach the market.

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History of The 1798 Large Cent

The Philadelphia Mint operated under constant pressure in 1798. Workers hand-punched each letter and numeral into dies, a tedious process that guaranteed inconsistencies across different coins. Equipment failures and poor die quality created ongoing production challenges.

The Draped Bust design had entered production in late 1796. Chief Engraver Robert Scot based Liberty’s portrait on artist Gilbert Stuart’s work, creating a more refined look than previous designs. The wreath reverse borrowed from earlier cents while updating the obverse.

Partway through 1798, engravers added a prominent curl to Liberty’s hair on new dies, creating what collectors call the Second Hair Style. The change wasn’t aesthetic preference but practical necessity—older dies wore out quickly under heavy use.

Some 1798 cents received the earlier 1795 reverse design. Dies were expensive and time-consuming to produce, so mint workers paired whatever serviceable dies remained available.

This mixing wasn’t intentional design variation. It reflected operational realities at America’s only coinage facility, where making dies fast enough to meet demand proved difficult with limited staff and equipment.

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Is Your 1798 Large Cent Rare?

Explore the rarity of the 1798 Large Cent through the CoinValueChecker App, where historical context and market data quietly reveal how uncommon your coin may be.

 

Key Features of The 1798 Large Cent

Recognizing the design elements on your 1798 cent helps identify which variety you own and assess its condition accurately. Each feature plays a role in authentication and grading.

The Obverse Of The 1798 Large Cent

The obverse presents Liberty facing right with flowing hair cascading behind her shoulders. A ribbon secures her hair, while drapery covers her neckline in the style fashionable during the 1790s. The inscription “LIBERTY” appears above her portrait.

Below Liberty’s bust sits the date “1798”. The outer rim features denticles—small raised dots that border both sides of the coin, though their sharpness varies depending on strike quality.

The most distinguishing feature separates the two hair styles. First Hair Style coins lack a prominent curl below the ear and above Liberty’s shoulder. Second Hair Style examples include an additional curl in this area, sometimes called the “Head of 1799” since researchers believe these dies were actually cut in 1799 despite bearing the 1798 date.

The Reverse Of The 1798 Large Cent

The reverse centers on the denomination “ONE CENT” enclosed within a wreath formed by two branches. These branches meet at the bottom, tied together with a ribbon bow. The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves around the outer edge, encircling the entire wreath design.

Between the ends of the ribbon bow at the bottom sits the fraction “1/100”, indicating the cent’s value as one-hundredth of a dollar. This fractional marking was standard on early American copper coinage.

The reverse comes in two distinct varieties based on the wreath design. The 1795 reverse shows a single leaf at the top opening of the wreath, specifically positioned at the top of the right branch. The 1797 reverse features double leaves at this same location. This difference helps collectors identify which reverse die was paired with the obverse during production.

Other Features Of The 1798 Large Cent

The coin measures approximately 28 millimeters in diameter, roughly the size of a modern half dollar. It weighs 10.89 grams and consists entirely of copper with no additional metal alloys. The edge remains plain with no lettering or reeding.

All 1798 cents originated from the Philadelphia Mint, America’s only operating mint facility at the time, so no mintmark appears anywhere on the coin.

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1798 Large Cent Mintage & Survival Data

The 1798 mintage totaled 1,841,745 coins across all varieties combined. Early mint records didn’t track individual varieties separately, so the specific breakdown between Reverse of 1795, First Hair Style, and Second Hair Style remains unknown.

Survival data tells a clearer story. The Reverse of 1795 has only 500 known examples remaining, giving it a 0.0271% survival rate. Both hair style varieties show 5,000 survivors each, with survival rates of 0.2715%—roughly ten times higher than the Reverse of 1795.

These numbers suggest the Reverse of 1795 either had a much smaller original mintage or suffered greater losses over time. Either way, finding one today proves far more difficult than locating the hair style varieties.

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The Easy Way to Know Your 1798 Large Cent Value

Your 1798 cent’s worth hinges on two things: which variety you have and how much wear it shows. Start by checking Liberty’s hair for that extra curl, then look at the wreath opening on the reverse. Compare these features against the coin’s overall sharpness.

CoinValueChecker App takes these observations and instantly pulls up accurate valuations matched to your specific coin across all condition levels.

 

1798 Large Cent Value Guides

Each 1798 variety commands different market premiums based on scarcity and collector demand. These distinctions matter when establishing what your coin brings in today’s market.

The three primary categories break down as follows:

• 1798 Reverse of 1795 Large Cent – Commands significant premiums over other varieties
• 1798 First Hair Style Large Cent – More accessible across most condition levels
• 1798 Second Hair Style Large Cent – Slightly more available in circulated grades

The Reverse of 1795 consistently achieves higher prices regardless of condition, reflecting its status as the scarcest option. Between the two hair styles, First Hair Style coins tend to reach stronger values in higher grades, while Second Hair Style examples offer more entry points for collectors working with tighter budgets.

Condition remains the primary value driver, but variety identification can shift pricing by several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on grade.

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1798 Reverse of 1795 Large Cent Value

The 1795 reverse cent stands apart through one unmistakable feature: a single leaf at the top of the right branch on the reverse wreath.

While most 1798 cents carry the newer 1797 reverse design with double leaves, this variety retains the earlier 1795 die pattern, making it immediately recognizable to collectors examining the wreath opening.

This distinct characteristic creates meaningful value differences across grades. Average condition examples typically trade around $950, while better-preserved specimens command significantly more. A Very Fine piece reached $27,600 at auction in 2003, and more recently, a VF35 example sold for $36,000 in January 2025. Even lower-grade Good-4 specimens start at approximately $325.

Authentication by reputable grading services helps guard against sophisticated counterfeits, while Dr. William Sheldon’s “Penny Whimsy” remains the definitive guide to die varieties and relative scarcity.

The table below presents this coin’s complete auction history.

And the accompanying chart illustrates market activity patterns over the past twelve months.

 

1798 First Hair Style Large Cent Value

The First Hair Style Cent represents the original Liberty head design before the Mint’s mid-year hub refinement. The defining characteristic is the absence of two prominent curls: one near the shoulders and another below and left of the ear, which distinguish it from the Second Hair Style introduced later that year.

This variety’s most unusual aspect is its unexpected reappearance. After the First Hair Style was officially replaced in 1798, the Mint reused an unused First Hair Style obverse by re-engraving the date to 1800.

This created the sole instance in which the earlier design appears after the Second Hair Style had become standard, reflecting the Mint’s economy-driven reuse of dies.

Individual die varieties within the First Hair Style command varying premiums based on rarity. A Stack’s Bowers auction on August 4, 2012, realized $48,875 for an MS63 example, while Goldberg Auctioneers achieved $34,075 for an S-154 variety graded MS64BN on February 1, 2016.

For those interested in exploring this variety’s complete auction history, comprehensive records document its performance across major numismatic sales.

Current market activity further illustrates collector demand patterns and pricing movements over the past twelve months.

 

1798 Second Hair Style Large Cent Value

The Second Hair Style Cent carries a chronological mystery within early American coinage. Known as the “Head of 1799” because researchers believe all such varieties were struck in 1799 even though dated 1798, these represent deliberate backdating at the Philadelphia Mint.

Identification centers on one diagnostic feature. The hairstyles differ only by the addition of a conspicuous haircurl just left of and below the ear on the Second Hairstyle. Examining this area near Liberty’s ear provides definitive authentication.

The variety presents exceptional rarity in high grades. Red-Brown examples are exceedingly rare, and may exist only in one specimen, a MS65RB, with no full Red examples known. Average-condition pieces command approximately $675, while premium specimens in MS64-MS65 grades can achieve $35,000 to over $200,000 at auction.

Comprehensive auction records document this variety’s market trajectory over decades.

Current market chart reveals sustained collector interest in these distinctive early cents.

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Rare 1798 Large Cent Error List

The 1798 Draped Bust Large Cent emerged from the Philadelphia Mint during a period of severe production challenges. Primitive screw presses, inadequate die tempering, and frequent copper shortages forced Mint workers to reuse dies and accept quality compromises.

The year 1798 saw the highest mintage in the Draped Bust series, yet surviving examples display numerous striking irregularities. Modern collectors pursue these mint-made errors for their historical significance and visual appeal.

1. 1798/7 Overdate Errors

The 1798/7 overdate stands as the first documented overdate in the Draped Bust cent series. This error occurred when Mint engravers repunched an “8” over the final digit of 1797-dated dies to create 1798 coinage, a cost-saving practice employed to extend die life during copper shortages.

Under magnification, portions of the underlying “7” remain clearly visible within and around the final “8,” particularly at the upper serif and base of the digit. Dr. William H. Sheldon’s landmark reference “Penny Whimsy” catalogs multiple die marriages showing this overdate, with varieties S-150 (Rarity-5) and S-152 (Rarity-2) being the most studied examples.

Average circulated specimens trade around $1,400, though value varies significantly based on how boldly the underdigit shows. The variety holds particular significance in numismatic literature as it established the pattern for identifying overdates throughout the early copper series.

2. Off-Center Strike Errors

Misalignment between copper planchets and dies created off-center strikes during manual coining operations. Hand-operated screw presses required workers to position each blank individually before striking.

Minor displacement of 5-10% appears frequently on 1798 cents and reflects the era’s production limitations rather than true error status. Specimens showing 20% or greater offset attract collector interest, particularly when missing design elements remain sharp and legible.

Authentication requires careful examination to distinguish genuine mint errors from post-strike damage or environmental deterioration. The degree of displacement, clarity of struck portions, and presence of complete planchet edges all factor into evaluation.

3. Die Crack Errors

Progressive die fractures developed as improperly hardened steel dies deteriorated under striking pressure. The Sheldon NC-2 variety demonstrates this phenomenon with a distinctive rim break above “E” in LIBERTY extending across “RTY.”

Metal flowed into die cracks during striking, creating raised lines on finished coins. Early die states show minimal cracking while late states display extensive fracture networks.

Only eight NC-2 specimens are documented, with seven exhibiting the diagnostic rim break. Census records maintained by researcher William C. Noyes track these rarities. The variety carries an R-7 rating, indicating 4-12 known examples.

While common die cracks add negligible value, dramatic specimens like NC-2 command substantial premiums from advanced variety collectors pursuing complete Sheldon number sets.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Where To Sell Your 1798 Large Cent?

With your 1798 Large Cent’s value established, identifying the right selling venue becomes your priority. Successful sales depend on choosing platforms that attract genuine collectors and offer transparent terms.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1798 Large Cent Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1798 Large Cent

1. How can I tell the difference between First Hair Style and Second Hair Style varieties?

Examine Liberty’s hair just below and left of her ear. The Second Hair Style features a conspicuous curl in this area that’s absent on the First Hair Style.

The Second Hair Style is also called “Head of 1799” because researchers believe these dies were actually struck in 1799 despite bearing the 1798 date. According to PCGS population data, the Second Hair Style is slightly more common in circulated grades, though First Hair Style has more Mint State examples

2. Why are 1798 Large Cents difficult to grade?

Early copper cents suffer from poor strike quality, planchet defects, and environmental damage accumulated over 225+ years. The dies were improperly hardened and often sank at their centers, creating weak strikes that mimic wear.

PCGS notes that traditional grading standards were written for well-struck coins free of planchet problems—conditions rarely found on 1798 cents. Each Sheldon variety has unique striking characteristics that must be considered when determining grade.

3. What is the most valuable 1798 Large Cent variety?

The auction record for any 1798 Large Cent is $207,000, achieved by a Second Hair Style specimen graded MS65 at Goldberg Auctioneers in 2008.

The 1798/7 overdate varieties also command strong premiums, with MS62 examples reaching $103,500. The Reverse of 1795 variety is the scarcest, with only 500 known survivors compared to 5,000 each for the hair style varieties, making it consistently valuable across all grades.