THE CENTS OF 1835-1857
Although much has been written about the cents of 1793-1814, the late copper cents are equally interesting for collectors. Beginning in 1835, there was a conscious effort to not only improve the artwork on the cent, but also to strike coins for the public at a faster rate.
The story begins in the gloomy days of early 1815, just after the end of the War of 1812. Mint Director Robert Patterson believed that the cent coinage deserved a facelift and asked one of the engravers to prepare a new head of Liberty. It is not quite clear which engraver was asked but, based on available information, it is likely that assistant engraver John Reich got the nod.
As is well known to collectors, the Liberty head of 1816 is not one of the best designs ever to grace a United States coin. However, in those days, the public paid little attention to coinage design and the 1816 design continued unchallenged for nearly two decades.
In 1824, Samuel Moore, the son-in-law of Robert Patterson, became director but resigned in 1835 to pursue other interests, primarily mining. His successor, who began in early July 1835, was none other than Robert Maskell Patterson, son of Robert Patterson. The new director
