1814 Large Cent - 1814 1C Crosslet 4 PCGS VF30 CAC. S-294, B-1 R.1. Dark chocolate and gray-brown mix on the surfaces of this VF 1814 Classic Head Large Cent. The hair in front of and below Libertys ear is very plain. Above her eye it is outlined with some detail, and her eyebrow is well developed. Significant detail is seen on the leaves of the wreath. Unlike many Large Cents of this date, the dentils are sharp and consistent, most of the stars have strong centers, and the hair and leaf details are also strong. The planchet is hard, lacking the porosity often seen because of poor copper stock that was used during the War of 1812. The CAC sticker indicates that the coin is a premium quality piece that fully deserves the assigned grade.

The Classic Head Large Cent was minted from 1808 to 1814. Designed by John Reich, the Classic Head quarter eagle shows a head of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed headband that reveals the curly hair on top of her head, which also flows down her neck. She is surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below. Dentils are around the periphery of the coin. The reverse shows the denomination in two lines, written as ONE CENT, underlined, and enclosed in a closed wreath of laurel. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the wreath, which is tied at the bottom with a knot. 

Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.

In its population report, as of July 2013, CAC shows 1 1814 Crosslet 4, the present coin, confirmed at the VF30 grade level.