1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent 

The 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent holds a significant place in American numismatic history as one of the earliest large cents produced by the United States Mint. Here's an overview of this coin: 

Design: The obverse of the 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent features a bust of Liberty facing right, with flowing hair and a liberty cap on a pole. The word "LIBERTY" appears above the bust, and the date "1796" is below.  

1. Composition: The 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent was struck in copper and has a weight of approximately 10.89 grams. It has a diameter of 29 millimeters, making it a large coin by today's standards.

1. Mintage: The mintage of the 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent is believed to be relatively low compared to later large cent issues. Exact mintage figures are not available due to incomplete mint records from that time period.

Historical Context: The late 18th century was a formative period for the United States Mint, which was established by the Coinage Act of 1792. 

The 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent represents one of the early efforts of the Mint to produce circulating coinage for the young nation. 

Collectibility: Due to its historical significance and scarcity, the 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent is highly sought after by collectors of early American coinage. 

Varieties: The 1796 Liberty Cap Large Cent exhibits several die varieties, including variations in the positioning of the date and differences in the style of the liberty cap. 

Historical Context: The production of steel cents during World War II illustrates the U.S. Mint's efforts to support the war effort by conserving critical materials.  

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