What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.): There were two major varieties of the 1812 Classic Head Large Cent (Penny). Both varieties deal with the size of the numbers in the 1812 date on the obverse of the coin. The "Small Date" variety has smaller and shorter numbers while the "Large Date" variety has taller and larger numbers. The size comparison of the numbers and varieties can be seen in the example image of the coins above.