1799 Large Cent - 1799 1 Cent PCGS VF20 CAC. This key-to-the-series, chocolate brown Draped Bust 1799 Large Cent has good surfaces and none of the granularity that usually is seen for this date. The hair above Libertys forehead and to the left of her eye is outlined and shows a large amount of detail. On the reverse, the leaves of the wreath show sufficient detail to support the grade, which is confirmed by CAC. Its sticker is only placed on quality coins that meet stringent standards and are solid for the grade. Unlike most Draped Bust cents, this eye-appealing one is well centered with a strong strike on its central devices.

The Drape Bust cent was first struck in 1796. It was the second design type for the year. The design by Robert Scot was from a drawing by Gilbert Stuart that was first used in 1795 for a silver dollar. (In 1800 it was used on the half cent.)

The design shows in profile a draped bust of Liberty facing to the right and slightly upwards. . Her hair is tied in the back with a ribbon, but most of it flows down behind her shoulder. Above her head is LIBERTY, and the date is below. A portrait of Ann Bingham is the source of the design. John Eckstein translated this drawing to models for Engraver Robert Scot. Evidently Eckstein made the models poorly, which might explain why Stuarts family refused to acknowledge his role in the coinage design. The reverse shows the denomination ONE CENT enclosed in an open laurel wreath that is tied at the bottom with a ribbon. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the wreath, and the fraction 1/100 is below. Dentils are at the edge on both sides, and the coin has a plain edge.

Thomas Jefferson chose Robert Scot to be the first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793. Scott was born in 1744 in Edinburgh, Scotland or England. (Documentary evidence is lacking as to where he was born.) He was trained as a watchmaker in England and learned engraving afterwards. He moved to the United States in 1777, where he worked as an engraver of plates, bills of exchange, and office scales. During the Revolution, he was an engraver of paper money. In 1780 he was made the State Engraver of Virginia. He moved to Philadelphia the next year. He was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793 by David Rittenhouse, Mint Director. His salary in 1795 was 1,200 per year. The Mint Director received only $800 dollars per year more. Scots ability to make dies was limited, and he was advanced in years with failing eyesight. His work was somewhat less than that done in Europe at the time, and Scot was criticized for its poor quality. He was responsible for designs of most of Americas first coins. These include the Flowing Hair and the Draped Bust motifs used on the early silver coins, and the gold quarter eagle, half eagle and eagle. Scot also designed the 1794-1797 half cent, the 1800-1808 draped bust half cent, and the Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal. Scot died on November 1, 1823 and was succeeded by William Kneass as Chief Engraver.

All 1799 Large Cents are rare and sought after by collectors and investors. They are especially prized by collectors of large cents because of their scarcity. Many are found with altered dates and/or are electrotype copies. (All USRCI coins are certified by one of the major grading services and are guaranteed genuine and authentic.) In its population report PCGS shows 16 in VF20 with 18 better. As of May, 2011, CAC shows 1 (the present coin) in VF20 with 3 better.