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 Replies: 112 / Views: 11,039 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
I made a deal to acquire two coins - this is the first one. This is the Sheldon-1, the coin designed and engraved by Henry Voight and produced by the first die pair for the first coin minted for circulation by the U.S. Mint. According to Gordon Wrubel, chain cents were the first mass produced, regular issue coins stuck at the US Mint. The first Chain cents struck are considered to be the AMERI. variety, Sheldon 1. 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. The edge of these coins is decorated with bars and vines with leaves. A total of 36,103 were coined from February 27 to March 12, 1793. Struck for about two weeks from late February until early March 1793, only about 1,000 coins are known to exist today. The public reaction to the coins was largely unfavorable. 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 symbolize the unity of the newly formed Union, 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.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
A remarkable specimen, congratulations.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5887 Posts |
An excellent coin and a beautiful example. You've been posting some REALLY top notch coins lately, congrats!
-CH27
Collector of U.S. Coins, Varieties, and Colonial Coinage
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
Extremely nice! This is a bucket list coin for me! A lot of history and education found in a single coin.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
11880 Posts |
Quote:
This is a bucket list coin for me! Me too.  Any thoughts on grade? Thanks to all! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3154 Posts |
very impressive! Your buys lately have been otherworldly. You have more $ in coins than most people have in their retirement accounts.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3468 Posts |
Spectacular example, NS. Can't wait to see the second coin secured in that deal.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3638 Posts |
Very nice chain cent! Like some of your other coins you've recently posted, this one is high up on my want list but not in that grade! Congrats once again!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
I will take a guess at grade 45/50. Another amazing example.
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Moderator
United States
15392 Posts |
Outstanding coin and a true piece of American coinage history. You have been showing us some really spectacular coins lately - can't wait to view the second coin you referred to.
I'm going to venture a grading guess based on general numismatic knowledge and certainly not of the series at PCGS VF35
Question for the coin history folks ... why are there 15 chain links on the reverse? I understand the chains represent the unity of the new union - but there were only 13 original states. Why 15 links?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
In 1793 there were 15 States in the Union.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
#14 Vermont joined on March 4, 1791
#15 Kentucky joined on June 1, 1792
#16 Tennessee joined on June 1, 1796
All other states joined in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7613 Posts |
I'll take a stab at a straight grade of VF30. Wonderful coin no matter what it grades!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I'll say XF40. Another great example  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
Edited by numismatic student
10/05/2021 5:39 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
Edited by numismatic student
10/05/2021 5:37 pm
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Replies: 112 / Views: 11,039 |
Posted 10/05/2021 1:04 pm
