Large cent that was cut in two (only on of the 2 halves).

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by King_George_Va, Jun 13, 2021.

  1. King_George_Va

    King_George_Va Active Member

    I came across 1851 large cent that was cut in two. It is my understanding this was done to make half cents. There no way of knowing, if this was done recently or way back when they were in ciculation. The patina, to me, indicates it was done long ago.
    Are these collected and what is their worth?
    Please see the pics for the details.

    Thank you for your time.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    Its not early enough to be collectable really and to me its just my two cents piece;).
     
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  4. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I’ve never heard of cutting a large cent in half to be used in trade. Half cent were still in circulation when this coin was minted so I doubt it. It does look like an older cut.
     
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  5. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I've seen this while Metal detecting at an old cellar hole . Not that uncommon .
     
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  6. manny9655

    manny9655 Well-Known Member

    But half cents weren't really all that common if you look at the mintages compared to the large cents. And there were spans of years where none were minted at all.
     
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  7. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    I'm just curious how you acquired the coin.
    Purchased? Found?

    I think someone was just trying out their new cutting shears a very long time ago and purposely damaged the Cent :yack:
     
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  8. dcure2002

    dcure2002 Old but not that old

    Just my thought...If this was cut for circulation, it's doubtful that both halves would still be together. Edit...nevermind that is just the one half.. too early
     
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  9. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Correct but they were first minted in 1793-1797, then again from 1800-1837 and from 1840-1857. The public really didn’t like them and they failed to circulate. Numerous tokens circulated in place of coins to fill in coin shortages. I’ve never heard of cutting a large cent in half to satisfy the lack of half cents, especially when the public didn’t like them.
     
  10. John Wright

    John Wright Well-Known Member

    Actually, 1793-1797, 1800, 1802-1811, 1825-1835, 1849-1851, 1853-1857. 1836, 1852, and 1840-1848 were Proof-only, struck for collectors (not for circulation), and likely struck in the 1860's. The 1837 was a privately-struck token. Some coins (usually silver) were cut into fractions (half, quarter) in the late 1700's but rarely afterwards. I have seen other large cents cut in half, but these were "done-unto's", not items to circulate. The "dates of mintage" are sometimes confusing, as the attached half cent struck over a spoiled (cut-down off-center) 1797 HC C-03a AU53 PCGS  XF40 JRG  Over 1798 S-164.jpg cent shows.
     
  11. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    How did you come by having both halves? That would be more interesting than it possibly being two half cents. My opinion only, thanks.
     
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  12. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I think that is the two sides of the same coin
     
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  13. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    I've never heard of anything save silver being cut to make fractions. The half cent never really circulated very much in the first place even though it's nominal value in today's money would be the equivalent of a quarter. Even cents circulated mainly in New England and the east coast but not so much out west until the smaller FE and IHC cents came out in 1857-1859.
     
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  14. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    The only coin I know of that was cut were the pieces of eight.
     
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  15. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Many members have posted pictures of cut English coins.
     
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  16. King_George_Va

    King_George_Va Active Member

    I replied to every post but for some reason they did not show up!
     
  17. King_George_Va

    King_George_Va Active Member

    I found my other half coin.
    the only letters are "illippus" v d & "paniarum" on the other side.
    Can anyone give me an ID or a glue?
     
  18. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    You must provide photos of both sides to get a response.
     
  19. Marshall

    Marshall Junior Member

    Here are two pieces of a Large Cent. They are different varieties so I'd love to find the matching pieces.
    upload_2021-6-28_20-18-59.jpeg

    upload_2021-6-28_20-20-12.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

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