Woman Digging In Garden Finds 1793 Chain Cent

A penny saved is a penny earned, but a 1793 cent found in the garden is probably worth a lot more to a Mifflin County woman.

Cheryl Corbin first thought she had picked up a quarter while planting flowers in June, then saw the date and thought it was a bicentennial coin. At work the next day, Corbin said, "I had the office in an uproar."

Co-workers searched the Internet and identified the coin as a 1793 copper "chain" cent. The front featured Lady Liberty and the back had a circle of 15 chain links representing the 15 states in the union at that time.

Though Corbin's coin was heavily corroded, she said a specialist told her it still could be worth $1,500 to $3,000.

David Wilson, owner of 4 Star Coins and Jewelry in Burnham, said he had sold a chain cent that was in mint condition for $22,000, but if Corbin's was heavily corroded it may only be worth a few hundred dollars.

Corbin said her coin is at Stacks Rare Coins in New York City, soaking in oil to try to remove some of the corrosion, and is scheduled to be featured in a September auction.