CLASSIC HEAD CENTS 1808-1814
At the present time there is a strong interest in early American copper coins by a wide spectrum of collectors, ranging from those who specialize in die varieties to type collectors, content with one of each design. Most of the interest is concentrated prior to 1815, with the heaviest competition for Draped Bust cents of 1796-1807. Yet, the Classic Head cents of 1808-1814 are not far behind in collector thoughts and are worthy of serious study.
Professor Robert Patterson, personally chosen by President Thomas Jefferson in the spring of 1805 to become mint director, also had the singular distinction of advising Lewis and Clark on various scientific and mathematical matters before the expedition left for the Pacific Ocean.
Patterson’s predecessor as director, Elias Boudinot, resigned at the end of June 1805 to pursue a leisurely retirement, which included writing and philanthropic work. Boudinot, however, was a Federalist while Jefferson and Patterson were staunch Republicans (now called Democrats). The new director believed that U.S. coinage designs ought to reflect not only the views of the party in power but also clothing fashions of the new century.
The director found himself in a quandary when it came to coinage redesign. The chief engraver was Robert Scot, who was not only also a Federalist but then about 60 years
