The 1793 Flowing Hair Large Cent is a significant coin in American numismatic history. It's one of the first coins struck by the United States Mint in Philadelphia, and it features a design with a flowing representation of Lady Liberty facing left on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse enclosing the words "ONE CENT" in the center.
As for the "AMERI" in the legend, it's part of the inscription "LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY" around the edge of the coin.
The full legend reads "LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY," but due to the placement of the design elements, not all letters are visible on every coin.
Sometimes, only parts of the legend are visible, such as "LIBERTY" or "AMERI." This partial visibility is common on early American coins due to the primitive minting techniques used at the time.
The 1793 Flowing Hair Large Cent holds a special place in American numismatic history not only because it marks one of the earliest coinage productions of the United States Mint but also due to its intriguing design and the challenges associated with its minting process.
The Flowing Hair Large Cent was the first official coinage struck by the newly established U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.
Designed by Henry Voigt, the Chief Coiner of the Mint at that time, and engraver Joseph Wright, it featured a portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and a wreath encircling the denomination "ONE CENT" on the reverse.
Well-preserved examples with clear details and attractive patina can command significant premiums in the numismatic market, especially among specialists and collectors who appreciate early American coinage and the unique variations it offers.