United States Coronet Head (Matron Head) Large Cent

This item is a 19th-century United States copper coin, specifically a Coronet Head Large Cent, often referred to as the Matron Head. The obverse depicts a left-facing profile of Liberty with her hair bound by a coronet inscribed with 'LIBERTY,' surrounded by 13 stars representing the original colonies. The date, though heavily worn, appears to be from the mid-1820s to 1830s based on the visible digit remnants. The coin is composed of 100% copper and originally measured approximately 28mm in diameter, though circulation has likely smoothed the edges. The condition is poor to fair (G-4 range), showing heavy circulation wear that has flattened most of the high-point details of Liberty's face and hair. Notably, the surfaces exhibit a deep dark brown oxidation patina, with visible areas of green verdigris (corrosion) at the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions, which indicates long-term exposure to moisture or environmental contaminants. The strike appears centered, but the overall lack of detail and surface pitting significantly impacts its numismatic grade. These coins were minted at the Philadelphia Mint during a period of expanding American commerce and represent a foundational era of U.S. coinage before the reduction in size of the cent in 1857.

I have examined the digital representation of this United States Coronet Head (Matron Head) Large Cent. Based on the heavy circulation wear, loss of hair-tie detail, and significant smoothing of the date, I assign this specimen a grade of Good-4 (G-4) to About Good-3 (AG-3). While the coin appears to be a genuine 100% copper emission from the Philadelphia Mint, its condition is severely compromised by environmental damage. Specifically, the presence of green verdigris at the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions indicates active corrosion that can pit the metal over time. The deep brown oxidation is typical for the series, but the surface pitting and lack of detail place this in the 'collector filler' category. Demand for Matron Head cents remains steady among series enthusiasts; however, high-grade examples or rare varieties (like the 1823 or 1839/6) command premiums that this worn specimen does not. Comparables for damaged or heavily circulated mid-series dates (1820-1835) typically trade in the $10 to $20 range at retail. Authenticity cannot be definitively verified via imagery alone, as weight, diameter, and edge thickness must be precisely measured to rule out contemporary counterfeits. A physical examination is required to determine if the verdigris is stable or requires professional conservation. For a final valuation, I would recommend checking for specific die varieties (Newcomb numbers) which can only be identified by examining the orientation of the leaves on the reverse wreath relative to the legend.