- Chain cent
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The Chain cent was the first circulating coin produced by the U.S. Mint.
The Chain cent was America's first large cent and the first circulating coin officially produced by the United States Mint.[1] It was struck only during 1793.[2][3]
Contents
Obverse design
The obverse design consisted of a stylized Liberty head with flowing hair. The inscription "
LIBERTY" appeared above the portrait, and the date below. The design was rather sparse and empty compared to those that would come later.Reverse design
The reverse's central design figure, for which the coin is named, is an interlocking chain with 15 links, representing the 15 American states in existence at that time. Both the words "
ONE CENT" and the fraction "1/100" appear within the chain. Along the outer edge is inscribed "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". On the first working die, the engraver failed to allow adequate room for the entire inscription, and it had to be abbreviated to "UNITED STATES OF AMERI.". These early dies were cut by hand, rather than being made from master hubs as is the practice today.Edge
The edge of these coins is decorated with bars and vines with leaves.
Public reaction
Chain cents were struck during late February and early March 1793; records indicate that approximately 36,103 were produced. However, the public reaction to the coins was largely negative. One newspaper criticized the appearance of the Liberty head, saying that it appeared to be "in a fright". And, while the reverse chain had been intended to symbolise the togetherness of the newly formed Union (similar iconography had been utilized on the reverse of the earlier Fugio Cent and Revolutionary War era Continental currency), many commentators instead interpreted it as representative of slavery. By March, the Mint had run out of planchets, which temporarily halted striking. During this time, a new design – the Wreath cent – was quickly prepared and approved.
References
- ^ The United States Mint Historian's Corner, The United States Mint, http://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/index.cfm?action=timeline
- ^ 1793 Chain Cents, Collectors Universe, Inc., http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cents/1793_chain_cents/1793_chain_cents.html
- ^ 1793 Chain Cent Varieties, Collectors Universe, Inc., http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cents/1793_chain_cents/1793_large_cents_by_variety.htm
External links
Preceded by
Various patternsUnited States one-cent coin
1793Succeeded by
Wreath centCoinage of the United States Cent (1¢) Chain (1793) • Wreath (1793) • Liberty Cap (1793–1796) • Classic Head (1808–1814) • Matron Head (1816–1839) • Large cent (Braided Hair) (1835–1857) • Flying Eagle cent (1856–1858) • Indian Head (1859–1909) • 1943 steel cent • 1955 doubled-die cent • 1974 aluminum cent • Lincoln cent (1909–present)Nickel (5¢) (Half dime) Flowing Hair (1794–1795) • Draped Bust (1796-1797, 1800-1805) • Capped Bust (1829–1837) • Seated Liberty (1837–1873) • Shield (1866–1883) • Liberty Head (1883–1913) • Buffalo (1913–1938) • Jefferson (1938–present)Dime (10¢) Disme (1792) • Draped Bust (1796-1807) • Capped Bust (1809–1837) • Seated Liberty (1837–1891) • Barber (1892–1916) • Mercury (1916–1945) • Roosevelt (1946–present)Quarter dollar (25¢) Draped Bust (1796-1807) • Capped Bust (1815–1839) • Seated Liberty (1839–1891) • Barber (1892–1916) • Standing Liberty (1916–1930) • Washington (1931–present)Half dollar (50¢) Flowing Hair (1794–1795) • Draped Bust (1796–1807) • Capped Bust (1807–1839) • Seated Liberty (1839–1891) • Barber (1892–1915) • Walking Liberty (1916–1947) • Franklin (1948–1963) • Kennedy (1964–present)Dollar ($1) Flowing Hair (1794–1795) • Draped Bust (1795–1804) • 1804 silver (1804) • Gobrecht (1836–1873) • Seated Liberty (1836–1873) • Gold (1849–1889) • Trade (1873–1885) • Morgan (1878–1904; 1921) • Peace (1921–1935) • Eisenhower (1971–1978) • Anthony (1979–1981; 1999) • Silver Eagle (1986–present) • Sacagawea (2000–present) • Presidential (2007–present)Gold Quarter eagle (1796–1929) • Three-dollar piece (1854–1889) • Half eagle (1795–1929) • Eagle (1795–1933) • Double eagle (1850–1933) • Gold Eagle (1986–present) • Gold Buffalo (2006–present) • First Spouse gold bullion coins (2007–present) • Turban Head eagle • Indian Head gold pieces • Indian Head eagle • Saint-Gaudens double eagleOther Half cent (1793–1857) • Two-cent piece (1864–1873) • Three-cent piece (1851–1889) • Twenty-cent piece (1875–1878) • Early United States commemorative coins (1893–1954) • Modern United States commemorative coins (1982–present) • Platinum Eagle (1997–present) • America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins (2010–present)Categories:- Coins of the United States
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