1783 Washington & Independence - Draped Bust No Button Cent

Coin Details

Description

Distinguished from its companion variety by the absence of a coat button on Washington's draped bust, this 1783 cent is cataloged as Baker 3, Musante GW-105, and Whitman 10320. The missing button is the primary diagnostic: collectors should examine the coat front below the neckline, where the Button variety (Baker 2 / GW-104) shows a small raised dot. Both varieties share the same design: draped bust of Washington with WASHINGTON & INDEPENDENCE on the obverse, wreath with ONE CENT on the reverse. These tokens were manufactured in Birmingham, England, where skilled die sinkers and steam presses produced tokens for the American market. The WASHINGTON & INDEPENDENCE legend reflects the era's conflation of Washington's identity with American liberty. While common for the type within the Washington series, the No Button variety is slightly scarcer than the Button variety, suggesting either a shorter production run or a later die state where the button was polished away. These copper tokens filled the pressing need for small-denomination coins the new federal mint could not yet supply.

Rarity Notes

Common for the type. Slightly scarcer than the Button variety.

Cross References

Baker 3; Musante GW-105; Whitman 10320