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LARGE CENT
Large Cents (1793-1857)
Together with the half cent, the large cent was one of two denominations to be struck at the Philadelphia
Mint in the first year of regular coinage, 1793. The term large cent did not come into use until after the late
18SOs, when a smaller cent was introduced, after which there was reason to compare. Released in March
1793, the Chain-type large cent was the first regular issue coin to be produced at the Mint. Its authorization,
as well as that for all initial denominations, came on April 2, 1792, but because Congress required security
bonds to be posted before Mint officials could handle gold and silver bullion, there was a delay in
production of almost all authorized denominations (with the exception of the 1792 half dime, struck on a
privately owned press using silver supplied by President Washington). Except for the half dime, half cent,
and cent, no denominations were produced for regular issue until 1794 and 1795.
Large cents were produced continuously from 1793 to 18S7, with the solitary exception of the year 181S.
More populous than the smaller half cents, the copper one-cent pieces were widely seen in the channels of
commerce, but only in the northeastern section of the United States. So far as can be determined, such
coins circulated extensively only as far west as Illinois and Michigan and about as far south as Virginia.
Mint in the first year of regular coinage, 1793. The term large cent did not come into use until after the late
18SOs, when a smaller cent was introduced, after which there was reason to compare. Released in March
1793, the Chain-type large cent was the first regular issue coin to be produced at the Mint. Its authorization,
as well as that for all initial denominations, came on April 2, 1792, but because Congress required security
bonds to be posted before Mint officials could handle gold and silver bullion, there was a delay in
production of almost all authorized denominations (with the exception of the 1792 half dime, struck on a
privately owned press using silver supplied by President Washington). Except for the half dime, half cent,
and cent, no denominations were produced for regular issue until 1794 and 1795.
Large cents were produced continuously from 1793 to 18S7, with the solitary exception of the year 181S.
More populous than the smaller half cents, the copper one-cent pieces were widely seen in the channels of
commerce, but only in the northeastern section of the United States. So far as can be determined, such
coins circulated extensively only as far west as Illinois and Michigan and about as far south as Virginia.
Reference Works
Basic references pertaining to the large cent series include these:
Breen, Walter H. and Mark Borckardt. Encyclopedia of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1814 (working title); manuscript based upon the research of the late
Walter H. Breen, now being updated, expanded, and edited by Mark Borckardt4 Publication date not yet announced.
Newcomb, Howard R. United States Copper Cents 1816-1857. New York: Stack's, 1944; plus later reprints. The standard classic work on the series.
Today, coins of 1816-1857 are attributed by Newcomb numbers.
Noyes, William C. United States Large Cents 1793-1814. Bloomington, MN: 1991. Contains photographs of coins from the Naftzger Collection. A
valuable guide to attributing varieties.
Noyes, William C. United States Large Cents 1816-1857. Bloomington, MN: 1991. Contains photographs of coins from the Naftzger Collection. A
valuable guide to attributing varieties.
Penny-Wise. Official publication of the Early American Coppers Club. Harry Salyards, M.D., editor. A fine journal filled with much information. Highly
recommended!
Sheldon, William H. Early American Cents. New York: Harper, 1949. Today, coins of 1793-1814 are attributed by Sheldon numbers.
Sheldon, William H., Dorothy I. Paschal, and Walter H. Breen. Penny Whimsy. Rockville Centre, NY: Ford Numismatic Publications, 1958; plus later
editions. An updating of Early American Cents, by Dr. William H. Sheldon. The essential reference for the 1793-1857 series.
In addition, the student of early cents 1793-1814 may wish to consult the following specialized articles and books (listing furnished by Mark
Borckardt):
Adams, John W., ed. Monographs on Varieties of United States Large Cents 1793-1794. Lawrence, Massachusetts: Quarterman Publications, 1976.
American State Papers - Finance. Vols. I and II. Washington, D.C.: Gales & Seaton. 1832-61.
Bowers and Ruddy Galleries, Inc. The Celebrated John W. Adams Collection of United States Large Cents of the Year 1794. Los Angeles: Bowers and
Ruddy Galleries, Inc., 1982.
Breen, Walter H. The United States Patterns of 1792 and Minor Coinages of the Philadel Mint 1793-1916. Coin Collector's Journal, nos. 154 and 155.
1954.
Chapman, Samuel Hudson. The United States Cents of the Year 1794. Philadelphia: the author, 1923; Second edition, 1926.
Clapp, George H. The United States Cents of the Years 1798-1799. Sewickley, Pennsylvania: the author, 1931.
--- The United States Cents, 1804-1814. Coin Collector's Journal, Vol. 1, no. 9 (Dec. 1934).
Clapp, George H. and Howard R. Newcomb. The United States Cents of the Years 1795, 1796, 1797 and 1800. New York: The American Numismatic
Society, 1947.
Crosby, Sylvester Sage. The United States Coinage of 1793 - Cents and Half Cents. Descriptions of the Various Dies Bearing That Date, With Notes on
the Establishment of the Mint. Boston: The author, 1897.