Programs for Young Numismatists
The Early American Copper Coin Project
Sponsored by Douglas F. Bird
Early American copper coins - large cents and half cents
(1793-1857) - were the coins of the people, the coins used for everyday
transactions, the pocket change of early American citizens. Cents and
half cents were also the first coins struck under the authority of the
United States Government by the First United States Mint in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The stories about their history, designs and
designers, minting processes, collectors, and pedigrees bring U.S.
history alive! They are fun and challenging to collect, research and
exhibit.
Participation in the Early American Copper Coin Project allows ANA
members age 22 and younger to earn awards such as early American large
cents, half cents, reference books, or supplies by just being active in
the coin-collecting hobby, writing articles or school reports, doing a
presentation for school or Scouts, exhibiting, completing correspondence
or Summer Seminar courses or doing other interesting (and fun!)
projects. The Early American Copper Coin Project Forms outline the
method for earning awards.
So get ready to have fun with your hobby and join the Early American
Copper Coin Project. You'll enjoy earning the awards while continuing
your journey from coin collector to numismatist!
Along the way, if you would like more information about any of the
items you earn, please contact the project sponsor, Douglas F. Bird, PO
Box 608, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
Questions about the project should be directed to education@money.org
Good luck and have fun!
KNOW MORE!
To learn more about U.S. Large Cents and U.S. Half Cents, the
following books are recommended (these books can be borrowed from the
ANA Library).
United States Large Cents, Volumes I & II by William C.
Noyes
Penny Whimsy by Dr. William H. Sheldon
Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Cents 1793-1814 by
Walter Breen and Mark Borckardt
United States Copper Cents 1816-1857 by Howard R. Newcomb
The Cent Book 1816-1839 by John D. Wright
The Half Cent Die State Book: 1793-1857 - Ron Manley
The Little Half Sisters - Roger Cohen
The Encyclopedia of Half Cents - Walter Breen
A Quickfinder for Attributing Varieties of United States Half
Cents - Gregory S. Heim
The Early American Coppers Club (EAC) is an ANA
member specialty club for people who collect, study or have an interest
in Large Cents, Half Cents and other Early American copper coins. They
publish an excellent journal, PennyWise, 6 times a year and a
weekly electronic newsletter, The Region 8. For more information,
contact the secretary, Rod Burress at PO Box 15782 Cincinnati, OH
45215.
UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS (1793-1857)
By Ron Guth
One of the first coins struck at the U.S. Mint was the
Large Cent. This large, clunky copper coin was struck from 1793 to 1857,
inclusive, with the exception of 1815, when a fire forced the closing of
the Mint.
Three design types appeared in 1793, each an attempted improvement
over the previous.
The first design, known as the 1793 "Chain" Cent, features a
low-relief head of Liberty with fine, flowing locks of hair. The reverse
shows a chain of fifteen links, connected in a never-ending loop.
Initial reaction to the coins was quite negative: Liberty appeared to be
in a fright and the chain was seen by many as representing bondage and
slavery as opposed to strength and union.
As a result, Liberty's hair was strengthened and the chain was
replaced with a wreath. Known as the 1793 "Wreath" Cent, this design
fared little better than its predecessor and was soon replaced.
The "Liberty Cap" design turned out to be a little more enduring.
Minted from 1794 to 1796, this design type is full of interesting
varieties, many of them rare. In 1795, the weight of the Large Cent was
reduced and the edge lettering was replaced with a plain edge. Some of
the 1797 Large Cents have a curious "Gripped Edge."
In 1796, the "Draped Bust" design appeared. This type was minted
until 1807. Rare dates in this type include the elusive 1799 and the
popular 1804.
The "Classic Head" Large Cent ran from 1808 to 1814. Although none of
the dates are rare, they are hard to find in nice condition.
The "Matron Head" design appeared in 1816 and lasted until 1839.
Scarce dates include 1821 and 1823. Known as "Middle Dates", this series
contains many interesting varieties that are of great interest to a
large number of collectors. Certain rare varieties can be worth hundreds
or thousands of dollars.
The final design type is the "Braided Hair" type of 1839 to 1857. The
last year is both scarce as a date and popular as the last year of the
denomination.
In 1857, the Large Cent was replaced by the new Small Cent, a much
more manageable (but less impressive) coin.
UNITED STATES HALF CENTS (1793-1857)
By Ron Guth
The United States minted Half Cents intermittently between 1793 and
1857. While this unusual denomination might seem useless today, it was
an important part of our monetary system back when working wages were $1
a day.
The Liberty Cap Half Cent came in two different versions: the Head
Left (issued in 1793 only) and the Head Right (issued from 1794 to
1797). The 1793 Half Cent is a scarce date and was one of the very first
coins issued by the U.S. Mint. The rarest date in the Liberty Cap series
is the 1796.
No Half Cents were issued in 1799.
The Draped Bust design appeared from 1800 to 1808, but no Half Cents
were struck in 1801. The rarest date of this design type is the 1802,
all of which were struck on cut-down Large Cents.
The Capped Bust design appeared on Half Cents beginning in 1809 and
ran through 1836. No Half Cents were issued between 1812 and 1824,
mostly because demand for the denomination was low and the Mint had
difficulty obtaining planchets. In 1825, Half Cent coinage resumed, with
breaks in 1827 and 1829.
No Half Cents were issued between 1837 and 1839.
The final Half Cent design type, the Braided Hair, first appeared in
1840 and ran through 1857.
In 1857, the Half Cent denomination was discontinued forever.
The Half Cent series is full of interesting and rare die varieties.
Highlights include:
1796 No Pole
1797 Lettered Edge
1797 Gripped Edge
1802 Reverse of 1800
1804 "Spiked Chin"
1804 Stemless Wreath
1805 Stemless Wreath
1806 Stemless Wreath
1808/7
1809/6
1828 12 Stars
For More Information Please Contact
ANA Education Department
education@money.org
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