1796 Liberty Cap Cent
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-67). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$207,000 MS66 09-06-2009 Goldberg Auctioneers
Description
The 1796 Liberty Cap Cent is a cent produced at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the Liberty Cap Cents 1793-1796 series. The U.S. Mint produced 109,825 examples. The obverse features Liberty facing right with a Phrygian cap on a pole behind her head, symbolizing freedom, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing ONE CENT and 1/100 of a dollar. Designed by Robert Scot. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 28 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1392. The Liberty Cap design replaced the Wreath Cent in late 1793, introducing the Phrygian cap — a powerful symbol of liberty drawn from French Revolutionary iconography. The 1793 Liberty Cap Cent is extremely rare. The 1794-1796 versions by Scot are more available but remain highly prized by type collectors.
