Matron Head Large Cents 1816 - 1835
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Good 4...
The good 4 Matron cent will have a fully outlined bust of liberty and a full LIBERTY on the headband with minor bits of those letters worn into the hair. The bust itself will usually show some limited definition of the hair and ear. They will not necessarily have a full rim on both sides but all the letters on the reverse and the stars on the obverse should be distinct.
Very Good 8...
At the very good level most of the back hair cord will show along with just the top of the front hair cord. At this level the ear is completely outlined and separated from the hair strand above it and there will be a full rim on both sides.
Fine 12...
The fine Matron cent will show both of the hair cords and the letters in LIBERTY will be separated from the coronet. There is definition in the hair strand over the ear at the fine 12 grade.
Very Fine 20...
At the lowest VF level most of the curl before the ear shows. There are flat spots on the hair that are separated by rounded hair cords. The top of the coronet is distinct and not merged with the flat spot in front of the front hair cord. There is no "mint luster" to be seen.
Very Fine 30...
VF 30 Matron head cents will the smallest of flat spots worn into the hair in front of the front hair cord. The curl before the ear will be fully separated from the cheek it sits upon. The hair brow over the eye will be worn into the forehead in another tiny flat spot. There may still be some mint luster to be seen.
Extremely Fine 40...
The XF Matron head cent will have clear separation of the forehead from the hair brow and no flat spots on the hair. There will be some mint luster.
About Uncirculated 50...
AU Matron head cents show much mint luster and are removed from mint state by tiny marks and scratches that were inflicted in a very limited amount of time. Besides the marks, there is some wear that only appears as some darkening of the high points such as the face.
Mint State 60...
The mint state 60 Matron head cent will have uniform brown color and full unbroken luster and only the tiniest of marks but no wear.
Mint State 63...
To qualify for MS63 a Matron Cent must either have blast luster if it is brown or good luster and about 25% or more original red.
Last Updated on 12/17/98
By USCents.com
Good 4...
The good 4 Matron cent will have a fully outlined bust of liberty and a full LIBERTY on the headband with minor bits of those letters worn into the hair. The bust itself will usually show some limited definition of the hair and ear. They will not necessarily have a full rim on both sides but all the letters on the reverse and the stars on the obverse should be distinct.
Very Good 8...
At the very good level most of the back hair cord will show along with just the top of the front hair cord. At this level the ear is completely outlined and separated from the hair strand above it and there will be a full rim on both sides.
Fine 12...
The fine Matron cent will show both of the hair cords and the letters in LIBERTY will be separated from the coronet. There is definition in the hair strand over the ear at the fine 12 grade.
Very Fine 20...
At the lowest VF level most of the curl before the ear shows. There are flat spots on the hair that are separated by rounded hair cords. The top of the coronet is distinct and not merged with the flat spot in front of the front hair cord. There is no "mint luster" to be seen.
Very Fine 30...
VF 30 Matron head cents will the smallest of flat spots worn into the hair in front of the front hair cord. The curl before the ear will be fully separated from the cheek it sits upon. The hair brow over the eye will be worn into the forehead in another tiny flat spot. There may still be some mint luster to be seen.
Extremely Fine 40...
The XF Matron head cent will have clear separation of the forehead from the hair brow and no flat spots on the hair. There will be some mint luster.
About Uncirculated 50...
AU Matron head cents show much mint luster and are removed from mint state by tiny marks and scratches that were inflicted in a very limited amount of time. Besides the marks, there is some wear that only appears as some darkening of the high points such as the face.
Mint State 60...
The mint state 60 Matron head cent will have uniform brown color and full unbroken luster and only the tiniest of marks but no wear.
Mint State 63...
To qualify for MS63 a Matron Cent must either have blast luster if it is brown or good luster and about 25% or more original red.