The Matron Head Large Cent, designed by Robert Scot, replaced the Classic Head Large Cent in 1816. The obverse features the head of Lady Liberty. Liberty is wearing a headband which bears the inscription LIBERTY. She is surrounded by 13 stars and the date appears below her. The reverse was not changed from that of the Classic Head Large Cent and features the denomination ONE CENT within a wreath, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
From 1836 to 1839, Mint engraver Christian Gobrecht created several varieties of the Matron Head Large Cent by changing the appearance of Liberty's face, head and neck truncation; introducing a beaded chord to tie the bun in her hair, and changing her hair strand placement. These variations are referred to collectively as Matron Head, Modified Large Cents. In 1839 Gobrecht finally settled on a design for the large cent with changes warranting a new type, the Braided Hair Large Cent.