Photo - Chain Cent Reproduction Coin Source - The Maryland Mint

1793 One Cent Copper Coins for Sale. Chain Cent Values and Sales. US 1793 Copper Penny. Find Early Cents for Sale. One or 1 Cent Copper Penny Sale.

An uncirculated 1793 Chain Cent was just sold for a record $1.38 million at Heritage Auctions in Orlando Florida. This beat the record for the most a US copper coin has sold for.

The 1793 Chain penny is the first one made by the United States mint. This coin was made only for one year making them extremely rare. The front or observe side shows a Liberty head with flowing hair. The word "Liberty" is above the head with the date below.

On the back or reverse side it has an interlocking chain with 15 links for the 15 American states that made up the United States at that time. Within the chain the words "One Cent" and the fraction 1.100 is written. Around the outer edge the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" is seen. The first die of the coin has the words, "UNITED STATES OF AMERI" because the engraver didn't allow enough room. The edge of the coin has engravings of bars and leafy vines.

This design for the Chain cent only lasted a year because people complained that the chins reminded them of slavery and the head in front looked frightful. With all this negative response the one cent was redesigned the following year and only 36, 103 of these 1 cent copper coins was produced.

Now the Chain Cent is a collectors item and can still be found for sale. The price ranges from $1000.00 to One million depending on the condition of the coin. Cheap reproductions can also be found for those who can't afford the price of the read deal and want to complete their collection.

Susan Dietel
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Email: susansdesign@yahoo.com