Years
Designer
John Reich
Composition
100% copper
Diameter
23.5 mm
Mass
5.44 g
Thickness
1.8 mm
Edge
Plain
Mints
Philadelphia
Metal
Copper
Design
Liberty in a fillet inscribed LIBERTY; reverse a tighter wreath. 1831–36 originals vs. restrikes are a specialist minefield.
History
Reich’s Classic Head ran through the War of 1812 copper shortage (no 1812–24 business strikes in some years) and into Jacksonian America. Proof-only late dates and the 1831 original are the keys. Most circulated examples are chocolate brown with honest wear.
Key dates
28 issues