How Many 1793 Ameri Chain Cents Weigh 264 Grains ?

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As stated, we will need clear pictures of both sides in order to help you.
There were several varieties produced and it would help to see which variety you have.

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SOURCE:
https://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_..._v09n48.html

*I believe that is a typo in the quote - as Birch cents weigh 264 & 260 grains and Chain Cents weigh 208 grains.


The weights in grains aren't exactly what was specified in law at the time, they used pennyweights; 11 pennyweight per cent which amounts to the 17.11 grams. The actual weights are drawn up in the Coinage act of April 2, 1792 (sec. 9)

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/histor...april-2-1792

The January 14, 1793, Statue 1, which changed the amount of copper needed to make cents and Half Cents:


The US Mint began striking the 1793 cents in Late February through early March when they ran out of planchets. So none should have been struck at the original weight designated at 264 grains. All struck should be at the new amended weight of 208 grains. That's a 2.5 gram reduction.

You say you have a 1793 chain cent which weighs 264.4 grains, that is quite interesting, I would also take it the cent has little circulation to be at the full weight as well? Unless the planchets had already been prepared for use at the mint before the new money saving weight reduction was ruled on. Other pre Federal coins from that era like Fugio cents were even lighter generally.

I agree we need photos full obverse and reverse as well as the edge showing the thickness. Possibly a thick planchet as these were hand rolled out and nothing was as precise back then, compared to how much more quality control came about when getting better equipment and moving to steam power.

264.4 grains would be close to 17 grams or 3.5 grams heavier than a standard chain cent, and right at where a Birch cent would weigh. Very interesting indeed.

The key to posting pictures is to get them cropped and sized correctly (then saved to a new file) BEFORE trying to post them.

I have pictures on my phone but can't figure out how to post them.
Obviously I'm not tech savy,but this should be easy. My age is showing.

Unfortunately we will need in focus images, these are too blurry to tell whats going on at all. If you are hand holding the phone, then try instead to put it on a box or a stack of books, anything solid where it won't move when taking the photo, books let you raise and lower it as needed, then get enough light on the coin, tap the screen where you want to focus the camera at (I like to use part of the design, like the face profile).

If we can get better photos we might have a good chance of helping you out. I'd like to see the edge as well in focus and either with another known coin as a guide or standard, like a quarter, or better a ruler.

You might try watching these, they may help you out:

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