1793 U.S. Cent Designs

Three distinctly different designs were used for the 1-cent denomination in 1793, the first year that denomination was struck under authority of the Mint Act of April 2, 1792.

The first design is the 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent. The coin depicts an allegorical Liberty Head with flowing hair on the obverse and a 15-link chain, representing the union of the 15 states, on the reverse. Total mintage was 36,103 coins.

It was replaced by the 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath cent. A wreath was placed on the reverse of the coin in place of the chain. On the obverse, a sprig of leaves was added beneath the same Flowing Hair Liberty portrait. The total was 63,353 coins.

The final design of 1793 is the Liberty Cap, Wreath cent. A new Liberty portrait was introduced. While this Liberty also wears flowing hair, it's of a different style. Liberty also carries a pole topped by a Liberty cap. The mintage of this design is the smallest of the three at 11,056 coins.