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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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) cent shows.
How did you come by having both halves? That would be more interesting than it possibly being two half cents. My opinion only, thanks.
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.
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?
Here are two pieces of a Large Cent. They are different varieties so I'd love to find the matching pieces.