Obverse: A classical bust of Washington, undraped, facing right; the head is encircled by a fillet, confining the hair, which is cut short and is curly; the fillet is tied at the back of the head by a bow knot with long pendent ends. Legend: “WASHINGTON PRESIDENT 1792.”
Reverse: A small eagle, displayed, wings upraised; on his breast a shield argent, six pales gules; right talon, an olive branch, fourteen leaves, six berries; left talon, thirteen arrows; about the head of the eagle are six mullets, and above is the word “CENT.” Border, milled; edge, plain, or inscribed: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size, 19; weight, 198 grains. Some six or eight specimens only are known.
Non Dependens Status.
Obverse: A full bust, facing right; flowing hair to the shoulders. Upon the drapery of the bust a small oval shield as an epaulet, emblazoned with a staff bearing a flag; across the staff, saltierwise, rests a naked sword. In each angle of this device is displayed a fleur de lis. Upon the breast of the bust is a head with spreading wings. Legend: “NON-DEPENDENS STATUS.”
Reverse: An Indian, seated upon a globe, facing left; nude, except a cap or bandeau upon his head, and a feather tunic around the lower part of the body. In his extended right hand he holds a bunch of tobacco; the left reaches behind him and rests upon a shield, bearing the same emblems displayed upon the epaulets upon the bust on the obverse. Legend: “AMER ICA,” divided by the figure of the Indian. Exergue: 1778. Border, plain; edge plain; size, 19.
Some coin dealers advertise the Non Dependens Status as “a rare copper, worth $100.”
Pattern Cent, 1792.
Obverse: A bust of Liberty, facing to right, the hair confined by a fillet. Above is inscribed the word “LIBERTY,” and beneath the date “1792.”
Reverse: A portion of a globe, on which stands an eagle, with raised wings. Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” This cent has a grained edge, like the cents of 1793. Some numismatists give it the preference as the first cent.