1814 1C Plain 4, BN

1816 1C, BN

1814 1C Crosslet 4, BN (Regular Strike)

Series: Classic Head Cents 1808-1814

PCGS MS66BN

DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS65+BN

PCGS #:: 1573

Designer:: John Reich

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 28.00 millimeters

Weight:: 10.89 grams

Mintage:: 357,830

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $55,813 • MS65BN • 07-17-2015 • Stack's Bowers

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	3,000	R-4.4	7 / 11 TIE	7 / 11 TIE
60 or Better	50	R-8.5	10 / 11	10 / 11
65 or Better	4	R-9.8	6 / 11 TIE	6 / 11 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	3,000
60 or Better	50
65 or Better	4

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.4
60 or Better	R-8.5
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	7 / 11 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 11
65 or Better	6 / 11 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	7 / 11 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 11
65 or Better	6 / 11 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS66BN	As PCGS MS65BN #05754407. “The Douglas C. Kaselitz Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, July 2015, Lot 5021 – $55,812.50. As PCGS MS66BN #35585552. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, November 15, 2018, Lot 11 - $88,125. S-294.
2	PCGS MS65+BN	Doug Bird. S-294.
3	PCGS MS65BN	Superior Galleries, January 2004, Lot 1289; “The ESM Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, August 6, 2020, Lot 1066 – $40,800; Heritage Auctions, August 24, 2022, Lot 3874 – $33.600; "The Rusty Thompson Uncommon Cents Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 19, 2025, Lot 4400 - $38,400. S-294.
3	PCGS MS65BN
5	PCGS MS64+BN	“The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers and Merena, May 1996, Lot 540 – $9,350. As PCGS MS64BN. Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2001, Lot 6120 – $8,625. As PCGS MS64+BN #26598135. S-294.
6	PCGS MS64BN	Heritage Auctions, July 23, 2023, Loy 3010 - $16,800. S-294.
6	PCGS MS64BN	Legend Rare Coin Auctions, April 27, 2023, Lot 6 - $16,450; "The Chapman - Classic Cents Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294.
6	PCGS MS64BN	Chris Victor McCawley, August 2013; Stack’s Bowers, November 2015, Lot 20009 – $14,687.50; "The Super Bee Dansco Type Set" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294. Struck slightly off-center.
9	PCGS MS63+BN	"The Golden State Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294.

#1 PCGS MS66BN

As PCGS MS65BN #05754407. “The Douglas C. Kaselitz Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, July 2015, Lot 5021 – $55,812.50. As PCGS MS66BN #35585552. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, November 15, 2018, Lot 11 - $88,125. S-294.

#2 PCGS MS65+BN

Doug Bird. S-294.

#3 PCGS MS65BN

Superior Galleries, January 2004, Lot 1289; “The ESM Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, August 6, 2020, Lot 1066 – $40,800; Heritage Auctions, August 24, 2022, Lot 3874 – $33.600; "The Rusty Thompson Uncommon Cents Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 19, 2025, Lot 4400 - $38,400. S-294.

#3 PCGS MS65BN

#5 PCGS MS64+BN

“The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers and Merena, May 1996, Lot 540 – $9,350. As PCGS MS64BN. Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2001, Lot 6120 – $8,625. As PCGS MS64+BN #26598135. S-294.

#6 PCGS MS64BN

Heritage Auctions, July 23, 2023, Loy 3010 - $16,800. S-294.

#6 PCGS MS64BN

Legend Rare Coin Auctions, April 27, 2023, Lot 6 - $16,450; "The Chapman - Classic Cents Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294.

#6 PCGS MS64BN

Chris Victor McCawley, August 2013; Stack’s Bowers, November 2015, Lot 20009 – $14,687.50; "The Super Bee Dansco Type Set" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294. Struck slightly off-center.

#9 PCGS MS63+BN

"The Golden State Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). S-294.

Charles Morgan:

The 1814 Classic Head Cent

Despite the turmoil of the War of 1812 and the British sacking of Washington, D.C., the Philadelphia Mint managed to strike 357,830 Classic Head cents in 1814. Severe wartime shortages of imported English copper forced the Mint to produce the entire year's copper output in a single batch. Two distinct date styles exist for this issue: the Crosslet 4 (S-294, BN #36520) and the Plain 4 (S-295, BN #36517). These are easily distinguished by the presence or absence of a small crossbar at the terminus of the 4's arm. The Crosslet 4 is slightly scarcer.

Production & Distribution Timeline

Possibly September: 1814 cent production begins.
October 27, 1814: Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt delivers all 357,830 cents, completing the year's copper mintage. The Mint's supply of copper blanks is exhausted.
November 13, 1814: U.S. Treasurer Thomas T. Tucker orders the Mint to suspend copper distribution amid widespread specie payment halts.
December 26, 1814: The Bank of Pennsylvania receives the full shipment as the sole distributor, releasing most of the coins into circulation in early 1815.

Collecting the 1814 Classic Head Cent

The vast majority of surviving 1814 cents will grade PCGS XF40 or lower. Mint State specimens are scarce, and examples retaining original Mint Red are exceptionally rare, with only two known to date.

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