TheClassic Head was a coin design issued by theUnited States Mint in the early 19th century. It was introduced for copper coinage in 1808 by engraver John Reich and later redesigned by Chief Engraver William Kneass.[1]
The short-lived Classic Head (or as some collectors called it, "Turban Head")[2] interpretation ofLiberty was designed by John Reich for use on thehalf cent and thelarge cent; however, the design used on the silver and gold coins was developed byWilliam Kneass. The Classic Head depicted Liberty with long, curly hair. The reverse designed by John Reich depicted the coin's denomination and value inside a wreath.[3]
Kneass's design, however, scaled down the design so it would fit on smaller coins and then added aheraldic eagle on the reverse, substituting the simple design by John Reich.A similar design on gold coinage kept the name "Classic Head", but only retained the curly hair. The head was completely redesigned by William Kneass, and featured a traditional maiden with a ribbon binding her long, curly hair.
This variety omitted "E pluribus unum" from the reverse of the coin. In 1840, a smaller head was designed to conform with the appearance of the larger gold coins, therefore making the Classic Head design obsolete. The new Classic Head design was produced from 1834 to 1839.
The Classic Head variety was usually preceded by theDraped Bust design and followed by theMatron Head liberty on copper coinage.[1]
The design was used for the following coins:
This "fillet head" appeared upon all the cents until 1808, when a head known among collectors as "the turban head" appeared.
