Chain Cents 1793 Coin Guide
Chain Cent 1793, Photo courtesy, Barry
In 1793, democracy was still a struggling and unproven form of government.
1793 Chain Cent
Made of pure copper, these cents were the size of a half dollar and heavy.
Chain cents may have been ceremonially struck on Washington's birthday, Friday, February 22.15 Eight deliveries for circulation followed:16
Struck Delivered Quantity Varieties
Feb. 27-March 1
March 1 ...
Chain Cent, Variety S-4 (periods)
By Pennyman
Type I and II Buffalo/Indian Nickels
By TwoBillsCoins ...
Chain Cent: issued in 1793, this coin had a chain of 13 links on the reverse that was supposed to represent the original American colonies. However, some people thought the chain represented bondage, so it was quickly replaced with a wreath! ...
Chain Cent - The popular name for the Flowing Hair large cent of 1793. They were the first coins struck in the new Mint building in Philadelphia.
1793 Chain Cent Planchet From Royal Oak Mint BU
Rare! 1793 Chain Flowing Hair Large Cent
1793 Chain Cent ANACS Graded AG3 Scratched/Corroded.
Today, Chain cents are among the rarest and most beloved of all United States coins. It is virtually impossible for 20th century collectors to look at one today with the same lack of appreciation expressed by 18th century viewers.
The 1793 Chain Cent
It was the first regularly-issued American coin.
The new nation would be enthused about its first-ever coin. Right?
Flowing Hair Chain Cent, 1793
Flowing Hair Wreath Cent, 1793
Liberty Cap Cent, 1793-1796
Draped Bust Cent, 1796-1807
Classic Head Cent, 1808-1814
Coronet Cent, 1816-1857
Flying Eagle Cent, 1856-1858
Indian Head cent, 1859-1909 ...
As so much time and effort had gone into coining the 1793 Chain cents and Wreath cents, both time and copper planchets were in short supply when it came time to strike Liberty Cap large cents in 1793.
The first reverse design, known as the Chain Cent, features a low-relief head of Liberty with fine, flowing locks of hair. The reverse shows a chain of fifteen links. Initial reaction to the coins was quite negative.
If the half disme and the Fugio cent are not the first coins, then that title would go to the Chain cent, which was the first coin struck in the newly occupied Mint building.
Was this almost-slug of 1793 chain cent handled by anybody whose name I would recognize?
* 1793 Chain Cents (the first US coin, a rare American coin) with interlocking circular chain on the reverse--very few perfect coins survive, may be worth $7,500 with the word "America" and $8,500 with the word "Ameri," Good grade ...
 See also: Cent, Liberty, Coin, Mint, Copper
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