Are you building your Draped Bust penny collection? If so, you’re probably curious whether 1800 is a key date. What’s the 1800 penny value? Is this coin rare or even worth collecting? Whether you are selling or buying, our guide will answer your questions about the 1800 large cent so you can make a smart decision.
We’ll walk you through a brief history of the Draped Bust penny, the standout features that help with authenticating and grading, and fascinating, high-value minting errors worth adding to any collection.
Curious to learn more? Read on for all the details and discover just how much is the 1800 penny worth now.
1800 Penny Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1800 Penny | $145 | $460 | $2,450 | $82,500 |
History of the 1800 Penny
The 1800 penny is part of the popular Draped Bust large cent series minted by the United States Mint from 1796 to 1807. The design succeeded the Liberty Cap cent and the much-criticized Flowing Hair designs.
When Robert Scot joined the Mint as the new Director, he set out to redesign all U.S. coinage. For the large cent, he transformed an image by artist Gilbert Stuart of Ann Willing Bingham into a bustier Lady Liberty, a contrast from previous images of Liberty. Ms. Bingham is said to have been a Philadelphia socialite and the wife of renowned statesman William Bingham.
While the obverse remained largely the same until the end of the series in 1807, the reverse design changed severely. The first design, used on Draped Bust copper coins, featured the denomination, one cent, encircled by a wreath and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The design changed between 1795 and 1797 for silver coins, where a bald eagle replaced the wreath; this design was known as the Draped Bust, Small Eagle, and is one of the rarest in the entire series. This was later replaced in 1798 by a larger heraldic eagle, resulting in the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle design for silver coins, which lasted to the end of the series in 1807.
Due to poor working conditions and unadvanced techniques, the Draped Bust large cent series, including the 1800 issue, has numerous varieties and minting errors. Some of the most favorite for collectors are the 1800/1798 and 1800/1799 overdate varieties, which we’ll look at in more detail in a bit.
Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money
Features of the 1800 Penny
Next, we’ll explore the physical features of the 1800 Draped Bust penny. Knowing these standout features will help you authenticate and grade your coin and spot Draped Bust large cents that are worth good money.
Here’s what to look out for:
Obverse of the 1800 Penny
The “heads” features Lady Liberty’s right-facing portrait in which she is dressed in drapey clothing that shows off her busty chest. Her hair flows freely with some strands held back with a ribbon.
The word LIBERTY is inscribed above her along the rim, while the date, 1800, is shown below Liberty’s profile. The rim is decorated with small denticles all around.
Reverse of the 1800 Penny
The “tails” shows a laurel wreath surrounding the coin’s denomination, inscribed as ONE CENT. The laurel branches are tied together at the bottom with a ribbon bow.
Below the ribbon bow is the fractional representation of the coin’s denomination, inscribed as 1/100. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the laurel wreath.
Similar to the obverse, many small denticles decorate the rim on the reverse.
Other Features of the 1800 Penny
Additional features of the 1800 penny worth noting include:
- Diameter: 00 millimeters
- Weight: 89 grams
- Edge: Plain
- Metal Composition: Copper
Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money
1800 Penny Value Guides
So, how much is a 1800 penny worth today? The value depends on the coin’s condition, grade, and scarcity. All 1800 large cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, resulting in a mintage of about 2,822,175. Many examples were lost or damaged over the years, leaving only a few survivors for collectors. Existing circulated coins are heavily worn and can be difficult to grade, while Mint State survivors are scarce to rare.
Here’s a breakdown of the value of a 1800 penny:
- Circulated Examples: These are only common in lower grades and display extensive wear. The population of worn examples dwindles significantly from Fine (F); grades higher than this are genuinely scarce, often commanding prohibitive prices. In Poor/Average condition, examples can sell for as much as $85, but the price shoots up significantly for pieces in Good (G) condition, which can fetch as much as $145. In Fine (F), the price more than triples to about $460, while a piece in Extremely Fine (XF) condition will command at least $2,450. About Uncirculated (AU) examples are desirable but genuinely scarce, as reflected by their significantly high price. For example, in AU58, examples can fetch as much as $11,000.
- Mint State Examples: These are scarce in lower grades and increasingly rare in higher grades. From MS63, examples become rare, and survivors finer than MS65 are unknown to date. In MS60, examples can sell for as much as $12,500 and up to $17,000 in MS62. Rare MS63 specimens are worth at least $23,750, and the price increases to about $31,500 in MS64.
- Auction Record: In a 2013 auction, Stack’s Bowers sold a rare MS65 for a record-breaking $70,500, making this one of the most valuable examples of a 1800 penny.
Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money
1800 Penny Grading
To grade a 1800 Draped Bust penny, you should examine the extent of wear, strike quality, and the surface quality. Check the areas that wear out the fastest—this will tell you whether the coin is of a lower or higher grade.
On the obverse, look at the details of Liberty’s hair, including the curls and ribbon, the inscription, LIBERTY, and the date. On the reverse, examine the wreath details such as the leaves, and fraction, 1/100. Coins with sharper, bolder details are of a higher grade, while those with weak details, flatness, or smoothness point to a lower grade.
Next, pay attention to the strike quality. Early coins generally have a weak strike, which you shouldn’t confuse with wear. That said, corrosion and cleaning can further lower the grade and value of a weakly struck coin, compared to a well-preserved coin.
Lastly, check the surface condition for signs of damage such as pitting, scratches, dents, and dings. Well-preserved, higher-grade pennies have little to no signs of damage. These coins will show some or full mint luster and an appealing surface. Lower-grade large cents, on the other hand, will have noticeable damage and a dull surface as the mint luster is worn.
If you’d like to learn more about grading Draped Bust pennies, do check out this video for great extra tips.
Rare 1800 Penny Errors List
Due to low technology and poor working conditions, the Draped Bust coin series, like other early U.S. coinage, displays many minting errors and die varieties. Although some minting errors can be very valuable, many others aren’t worth much.
Let’s take a look at a few high-value 1800 penny errors worth a spot in any collection:
1. 1800/78 and 79 Overdate Penny Error
Overdates are some of the popular and valuable minting errors in the 1800 penny series. The most sought-after are the 1800/1798 and 1799 overdate errors.
An overdate occurs when a new date is struck over an older working die with an existing date on it. For the 1800 pennies, mint workers punched the date 1800 on dies that were used to strike 1798 and 1799 pennies. So, on some 1800 pennies, you will notice the numbers 798 or 799 peeping from behind the digits 800.
Four obverse dies were used to strike the 1800/798 over-dated pennies. The most common ones are the S-190 and S-191, while the rarest are the NC-5 and NC-6 varieties. Prices of circulated examples range from $125 to $18,500, while no Mint State examples are known.
2. 1800 Penny Clashed Die Error
A clashed die error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike against each other without a planchet between them. This results in the dies transferring their respective designs onto each other.
When a planchet is finally placed between the dies, the design mish-mash on either of the dies is transferred to the planchet. The final coin appears to have an image of the obverse and reverse designs on each side.
A clashed die error can be quite dramatic and eye-catching, making it a sought-after error among collectors. Depending on the intensity or visibility, this error can add $50-$200 to the regular value of your large cent. For example, in 2005 Heritage Auctions sold an About Uncirculated (AU50) with an obverse clashed die error for an enviable $ 4,450.
3. 1800 Penny Rotated Die Error
Another error that appears in the 1800 penny series is the rotated die, which occurs due to misalignment between the obverse and reverse dies. Instead of the die striking the planchet in an upright position, the design is struck while rotated at an angle.
A rotated die error can occur on one or both sides of the coin, and its value depends on the degree of misalignment. For example, a 35-degree rotated die error would generally be more valuable than a 10-degree rotation. This error can raise your coin’s value by $30-$100 or more, depending on the degree of rotation. For example, in 2014, a collector on eBay paid an impressive $2,590 for an Extremely Fine (XF) example with a rotated die error on each side of the coin.
4. 1800 Penny Die break Error
Die breaks are common on early U.S. coins because of the poor quality of dies and the technology used to strike these coins. A die break occurs when cracks develop on the die’s surface and are eventually filled with metal as the die continues to be put to use. The filled-in cracks form raised lines on the die’s surface, which are impressed on the coin’s surface, appearing like vertical or horizontal cracks.
Larger, dramatic die breaks are more appealing to collectors and will usually attract higher prices. This error can add as much as $50-$100 to the value of a regular large cent. For example, a collector on eBay paid $350 for a Very Good (VG) example of a 1800 penny with obverse and reverse die break errors.
5. 1800 Penny Clipped Planchet Error
Clipped planchets aren’t the most common errors in the 1800 large cent series, but they are sought-after and a worthwhile addition to any collection. This error occurs due to improper cutting of the planchet from the metal strip, resulting in the planchet missing a portion of its edge.
There are different types of clipped planchet edges, but the most common are the straight, jagged, and curved clips. Larger, dramatic clips are generally more valuable than small, subtle ones, and can raise the value of your Draped Bust cent by as much as $150 or more. For example, in a 2010 sale, Stack’s Bowers auctioned an About Uncirculated (AU50) with a large curved clipped planchet error for a remarkable $4,600.
Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors
Where to Sell Your 1800 penny?
Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.
Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)
FAQs
How much is a 1800 penny worth?
The value of a 1800 Draped Bust penny depends on its condition and rarity. Circulated examples are relatively scarce in lower grades but get rarer and rarer in higher grades. Prices for these worn examples start from $85 to as much as $11,000 for About Uncirculated (AU) examples. The value of Mint State examples is more prohibitive, with prices ranging from $12,500 in MS60 to as much as $82,000 in MS65.
How rare is a 1800 penny?
The 1800 Draped Bust penny is relatively rare in higher grades; none finer than MS65 is known to date. Circulated examples are more common in lower grades but become harder to find in grades Fine (F) and higher. All in all, 1800 pennies are moderately rare today, given that most were lost or damaged over the years.
How to identify a valuable 1800 penny?
An 1800 penny with sharp details, bold outlines, and, if possible, mint luster is definitely a rare one and can command significant premiums. Such examples of 1800 pennies are genuinely hard to find, so if you come across one, it might be worth a fortune.
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