1803 Draped Bust Cent - Small Date, Small Fraction
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
$55,813 MS65 01-10-2014 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1803 Draped Bust Cent - Small Date, Small Fraction is a cent produced at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the Draped Bust Cents 1796-1807 series. Total mintage reached 3.1 million. The obverse features Liberty facing right with draped bust and ribbon-bound hair, designed after a Gilbert Stuart portrait, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing ONE CENT and fraction 1/100. Designed by Robert Scot. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 28 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1482. The Draped Bust Cent continued the large cent series with a more refined portrait of Liberty. Large cents of this era circulated heavily and surviving examples in high grade are rare. The 1799 and 1804 are key dates.
