1793 Chain 1C AMERICA VF35 PCGS.

1793 Chain 1C AMERICA VF35 PCGS. S-3, B-4, R.3. The first coins struck at the fledgling United States Mint in Philadelphia were the Chain cents, struck in March 1793. After many years of Congressional discussion and debate, an Act establishing the Mint was finally passed on April 2, 1792, David Rittenhouse was appointed the first Mint director, real estate was acquired, employees were hired, equipment was obtained, and a quantity of copper was gathered. None of these preliminary steps were easy. Copper for these first coins came in the form of scrap that was acquired in various lots beginning in September 1792. Henry Voigt was responsible for the effort, and he was able to obtain more than three tons of the metal during the last four months of 1792.
Because the scrap copper came from various sources in different forms, it varied in quality, having many different trace elements in the mixture. When ingots were cast and strip rolled, the various trace elements would come to the surface, as would gas bubbles that created laminations. Although the technical explanation would be much more involved, the low quality of the copper translated directly to the coins in the form of laminations, split planchets, corrosion, and other problems. For those reasons, most Chain cents that exist today have rough surfaces and problems. The present coin, as remarkably fine as it is, provides a tangible example of the problems faced at the first Mint. The surfaces are show some roughness and a number of tiny pit marks. While some of those probably happened later, there is little doubt that many of the surface problems were a result of the substandard composition. Both sides have a few other blemishes and rim bumps that occurred after the coin was struck. It has excellent sharpness with light wear on the central obverse highpoints. EAC 15.

Coin Engraver: Henry Voigt

Shipping: Coins & Currency (view shipping information)

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