Many numismatists have made a specialty of collecting one of each date and major variety from 1816 through 1857. Among the more interesting varieties are the 1817 with 15 (instead of the normal 13) obverse stars, and the curiously-named 1839 Silly Head and Booby Head pieces. Just why these were so named is not known, but this nomenclature was in use as far back as the early 1860s. There are no impossible rarities among dates and major varieties in the 1816-1857 span, and a set in a grade such as EF-40, if gathered with care, can form a beautiful and very appealing exhibit.

Budget Recommendations: Build a type set or date set with the early issues 1793-1814 in G-4 to VG-8 grade and the later issues 1816-1857 in F-12 to VF-20 preservation. Such rare dates as 1793 and 1799 may be obtained in AG-3 grade, and for the later scarce dates, 1821 and 1823, VG-8 is a possibility. Select coins with attractive surfaces.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Start by building a type set of large cent designs 1793-1857. Cents of 1793 are good values in F-12 to EF-45 grades, pieces dated 1794-1814 are worth buying in VF-20 to EF-45 grades, and dates of the 1816-1857 era are recommended in EF-40 to MS-60. Especially recommended are issues dated from 1821 to 1834 in EF to MS-60; most of these are very undervalued. Once you build a type set, it is an easy matter to expand your interest to include dates and major varieties. In all instances, pick pieces with pleasing surface characteristics.

Elite Recommendations: Build a type set of cents to gain familiarity with the series, then expand to a date and major variety set. Buy early issues 1793-1798 in AU-50 or better grade, as available; 1799 in VF-30 or better grade; 1800-1814 MS-63 or so, as available; 1816-1820, the Randall Hoard years, MS-65; 1821 and 1823 MS-60 (if you can find them; otherwise EF-45 or better; 1821 is somewhat less of a challenge than 1823); other issues 1822-1839, MS-63 or better; 1840-1857 MS-64 or better. Such a high grade collection is recommended, for investors have not significantly skewed the market for early copper coins (with the possible exception of MS-65 red large cents of later dates), and a high-grade collection put together with care will undoubtedly reward its owner well. Among Uncirculated cents I personally prefer glossy brown pieces to those with mottled red and brown surfaces - a nice situation, for they are also less expensive than red and brown ones!