We haven't seen one of these on the forum for a while, so I thought I'd show some new pics of mine. This was my first 'major' U.S coin purchase, bought at the Bower & Merena Bebee sale in 1987. It is the commoner of the 4 Chain varities, an S-3, with the 'R' in LIBERTY leaning slightly to the right (thus known as the leaning R variety). The obverse of Chain cents is often better impressed than the obverse. This one is no exception. Unfortunately it has corroded surfaces, as can be seen, specially on the obverse. This is a common affliction of these early cents. Finding a specimen with nice, smooth surfaces (like the one owned by Mike (Leadfoot)) is really the exception. B&M somewhat optimistically net graded this coin at G-4.... I retrospect I feel maybe I should have waited for a better example, (the eagerness of youth!), but as it, it is my only specimen, and I think an acceptable one. Regards, Eduard
ANY Chain Cent is threadworthy, those babies are RARE!! Very neat to see the catalog entry too. It must be a very special feeling to hold one in your hand that isn't entombed in plastic!! I fear the closest I may ever come will be a 1793 wreath reverse-- if that! You have a great early type collection, Eduard!
That coin is too ugly for your collection, Eduard! :hammer: Send it to me and it will look right at home! :eat: Your's is exactly what I hope to pickup soon. I can't afford anything G-4 or better so I will take a G-3 to PO-2 and be tickled to death with it. hya: Gorgeous! :thumb: Ribbit
Can you imagine having a pocket full of them back in the day! Brand new and shinny looking. That is a piece of history my friend, gutten tag!
Thank you all for your comments. Much appreciated. You are right Kaz, it is nice feeling to hold a chain cent in your hand. Even a low grade one like this one. Keep looking for your 1793, I am sure you will find yours soon! This is one coin that I 'had' to have when I started collecting US coins. With it being first year of regular issue and all. I could not wait to get my hands on one. I drove my wife crazy with how much I wanted this coin, and why I had to have one. And when I got it I couldn't stop talking about it. The result is that to this day this is the ONLY coin in my collection which my wife remembers and recognizes...! PS- H.T, I hope you too are able soon to find your chain cent. If there ever was a good time, maybe now is it to look for one? From what I have seen, i get the feeling prices for these have softened a bit, at least by looking at Heritage prices realized. Regards, Eduard
Thank you for sharing with us Eduard. It's a beauty to me. Just think, who may have had that cent in hand back in the day. Wow, I get chills just thinking about it.
I think you should be proud Eduard (how do you prononce that?). It represents your eager vision, youth and pursuit of coins. I will never afford one of those as most of us can't. I would like to see Mike's. I don't remember seeing that- maybe you could start a post: "Post your Chain Cent's". It will be two posts long or so :high5::hatch::secret::loud:
I love that coin!!! To me that little bit of corrosion just adds history and charactor to it. Beautiful!
