UNITED STATES COPPER COINS.
In 1787 the United States Congress assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but possessing as yet no National Mint, entered into a contract with Mr. James Jarvis to furnish three hundred tons of copper coins. Mr. Jarvis had them struck at a coining establishment in New Haven, in the State of Connecticut. On the 6th of July, 1787, the government ordered that its copper cent should bear the following device : Obverse, a sun dial in the centre, shone upon by the sun from above. Legend: "FUGIO," " 1787." Exergue: "MIND YOUR BUSINESS." Reverse: A circle formed of thirteen small rings, representing the original number of States ; this large circle of thirteen rings inclosed a double circle in which was inscribed : "UNITED STATES," and inside of that smaller circle : " WE ARE ONE." This copper cent being the first legally authorized coin of the Government of the United States of America.
COPPER CENT OF 1787.
In the same year " STATES UNITED " on Reverse was changed to "UNITED STATES." On April 2, 1792, the United States Mint was established. In 1792 the weight of the large Cent was fixed at 264 grains.
LARGE PATTERN CENT.
Obverse: A head, facing right, hair unconfined, floating backward in heavy flowing locks. Legend: "LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY." Within the legend and beneath the head the date 1792. On the point of the shoulder of the device an inscription in small letters : " BIRCH." Reverse : A wreath, two laurel branches crossed at the lower ends and tied with a ribbon ; within the wreath a plain circle
inclosing a central field bearing the inscription: "ONE CENT" in two lines. Legend : " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue: loo- Border, milled; Edge, sometimes plain, or else inscribed : " TO BE ESTEEMED BE USEFUL." On other specimens the same inscriptions, lacking the first mullet, and having a leaf each side the other. Size, 21 ; weight, 217 to 286 grains. Extremely rare.
There is a tradition that the head on the Disme and Half Dime, also that upon the large Pattern Cent, were intended to represent Martha Washington. The attempt, if any was made, was an evident failure, as the faces differ very much in expression ; however, the subject may have been as supposed and idealized by the artist.
THE EAGLE PATTERN CENT.
Obverse : A head, facing right, hair bound by a fillet and knotted behind the head. Legend : Above the head " LIBERTY." Exergue: Beneath the head the date 1792.
Reverse : A large eagle, standing upon the crown of a hemisphere, wings upraised, fronting to the right, but with the head turned, looking left. Legend : " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Border, ornamented with 87 small ctars ; edge, reeded ; size, 18 ; weight, 175 1 grains. Two specimens struck ; one is in the mint at
2
Philadelphia.
THE SMALL PATTERN CENT.
Obverse: A head, facing right, hair unconfined, floating backward in flowing locks. Legend : " LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE A INDUST:" Exergue : Beneath the head the date 1792.
Reverse : A wreath, two olive branches crossed at the lower ends and tied with a ribbon ; within the wreath a field bearing an inscription : " ONE CENT " in two lines. Legend : " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue : i i . Border, milled ; Edge, reeded ; size, 14 ; weight, 65 grains. Extremely rare.
A pattern was also made from these last-described dies, the piece being finished with a silver plug of small size in the centre. This was called The Silver Centre Cent Weight : 59 grains.
In 1793, a new Copper Cent appeared. Weight: 208 grains.
This cent was issued from the United States Mint, Philadelphia, in three distinct forms. First. Known as the
" Chain-Cent"
CHAIN CENT, COPPER.
Obverse: Bustof Liberty, flowing hair. Legend: "LIBERTY." Exergue: "1793." Reverse: A circle composed of fifteen links, forming a chain. Inscription: "ONE CENT 1 ." Legend: "UNITED STATES OF
100
AMERICA."
Second. Known as the " Wreath Cent"
WREATH CENT, COPPER.
Obverse : Bustof Liberty, hair flowing. Legend : " LIBERTY." Exergue: "1793." Reverse: A wreath with berries, the stems of wreath tied in a bow with a ribbon. Inscription: " ONE CENT." Legend : " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue: " 1 "
100
Third. Known as the " Liberty-Cap Cent/
Obverse: Bust of Liberty, loose hair; over the left shoulder of Liberty is a staff, surmounted by a liberty-cap. Legend : "LIBERTY" Exergue: "1793." Reverse: Same as the preceding one.
LIBERTY-CAP CENT, COPPER.
In 1794 and 1795, no change was made in the device.
On January 26th, 1796, President Washington issued a Proclamation, that "on account of the increased price of copper, and the expense of coinage," the copper Cent be reduced to 7 dwts., or 168 grains, and the Half-Cent in proportion. By authority of Act of Congress, March 3d, 1795.
COPPER CENT OF 1796.
Part of the issue of the Cents of 1796 bore a new device. Obverse : Bust of Liberty, hair tied with a ribbon; the libertycap and staff were dropped during this year, and the bust was partly draped. Reverse remained unchanged.
COPPER CENT OF 1808.
From 1797 to 1807, inclusive, no change was made in the device; but towards the close of that year a change was proposed, and carried into effect in 1808; cents of the new device were struck with Exergue
"1808."
In 1809, an obverse head of Liberty; forehead encircled by a band, "LIBERTY" inscribed upon it, surrounded by thirteen stars. Exergue: "1809." Reverse: Wreath in a circular garland inclosing the words "ONE CENT." No change took place during the issues of 1808 to 1814, inclusive.
In 1815, no cent pieces were coined.
COPPER CENT OF 1816.
In 1816 and part of 1817, the Reverse of 1808 was slightly changed, a larger wreath appearing.
In October, 1817, a slight change was made only on the Obverse: The thirteen stars in Legend became fifteen.
In 1823, a limited number of cents were coined for circulation. Down to 1825, no change was made in these Cents, except in the Exergue of the respective years of issue; the dates appear in somewhat irregular size, large and small.
In 1826, on the Obverse, the head of Liberty underwent a slight change; the loose, flowing hair was made up into a double knot ; the rest remained as heretofore.
From 1827 down to 1838, the issues were uniform with that of 1826.
In 1839, four varieties appeared ; one had the hair of head of Liberty tied with a cord ; the second had beads instead of cord; the third head of Liberty reduced considerably in size; and the fourth had a still smaller and more artistic bust.
From 1840, down to 1844, the dates of the respective years of issue appear in large or small figures, otherwise no change occurred.
From 1845 to 1854, very little change was made.
In 1855, the dates are in a straight and some in a slanting line, while 1856 are straight figures.
In 1857, the last of the copper cents were issued, resembling those of 1856.
HALF-CENT PIECES.
COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1793.
The first Half-Cent was issued in 1793, having on Obverse: Bust of Liberty, facing to the left; staff surmounted by libertycap over right shoulder. Legend : " LIBERTY." Exergue : "1793." Reverse: Inscription: "HALF CENT," surrounded by a wreath, tied with a ribbon. Weight : 132 grains.COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1794.
In 1794 and 1795, similar device to that of 1793; but face of Liberty facing to the right. Weight: 104 grains.In 1796, according to Proclamation of January 26th, of that year, the weight of the Half-Cent was reduced to 84 grains.
In 1796 and 1797, the Half-Cent bore the device of 1794; bat was reduced in weight to 84 grains.
In 1798 and 1799 no Half-Cents were issued.
In 1800, a slight change on the Obverse was made, the hair of the head of Liberty tied with a ribbon, instead of loose flowing hair. In 1801, no Half-Cents were coined.
COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1800.
In 1802, and down to 1807 inclusive, the Half-Cents bore the same device.In September, 1809, a new device made its appearance, the bust of Liberty assumed a matronly look, and this device was retained till 1811, inclusive.
COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1809.
From 1812 down to 1824, inclusive, no Half-Cents were coined.In 1825 and 1826, the device of the cents of same years appeared. In 1827, no Half-Cents were coined.
In 1828 the Half-Cent appeared with thirteen, and with twelve stars as on Obverse. In 1830, no Half-Cents were coined.
In 1831, Obverse same. From 1833 to 1836, inclusive, same device.
In 1837, and up to 1848, the Half-Cent was not coined except a few as patterns.
In 1849 the device of the Half-Cent was the same as for cents.
Obverse : Head of Liberty, having the hair tied behind in a double knot, and being crowned with a tiara, upon the front of which the word "LIBERTY" is inscribed.
HALF-CENT, COPPER.
Reverse : Unchanged, the original device being used. ID 1850 and 1851 the device of 1849 was used. In 1852 no Half-Cents were coined for circulation. In 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856 and 1857 the same device was used. By Act of Congress, February 21, 1857, the coinage of the Half-Cent was discontinued.