Hey all, I got this piece in today the 1794 large cent. I have determined it to be the head of the 1795 due to the hair curling under, I didn’t get the best pictures but it is more obvious in hand. The coin around the edge says one hundred for a dollar nice and clear. I did weigh this and it did come down a bit under its weight at 12.7 grams I believe it’s supposed to be around the 13.4 grams mark. I don’t know the threshold or if time can be a factor but does seem like a bit of weight. Also I don’t have a very nice scale but for an Indian head it averages 3.1-3.3 grams so I know it’s close. But the thickness of this coin is crazy that is what worries me most. I don’t know if these large cents were made this thick or what but I compared it to some mid and late date large cents and is much more thick then those and slightly bigger in diameter as it should be compared to the large cents I compared it to. I don’t have an exact way to measure the dimensions except other coins at this time. The average would be 28mm for this coin and 27.5mm for the 1855 large cent which it seemed exactly to be that as it was o my slightly bigger. I could not find anything on thickness for these coins so I am unsure. I guess I am just unsure because it’s very thick, weighs a little under, and also I got it for a very good price at 275$. I have pictures added and side by side comparison of the 1855.
Looks like a S-71. Yes those letter edge coins were thick compared to the later issues. Weight is a little low but not enough to concern me. Diameter can be fairly variable on these as they were struck without a close collar and a muscle powered screw press so the final diameter would depend on how well annealed the copper was and how tired the pressmen were. The better annealed the copper and/or the more force in the strike determined the diameter and it could vary by as much and 1.5 to 2 mm. The later large cents after roughly 1836 were struck using a steam powered toggle press with a close collar so strike pressure was consistent and the collar determined the diameter. (This is why people have problems with albums for large cents. The holes for the later issues fit well because the diameter is consistent. But what hole size do you use for the pre-1836 coins when the diameter of every coin is different? They do make the holes larger but some coins are still too large and won't go in, while some are too loose and "spin" or rattle in the hole.)
Conder101, thanks for that information. I wasn't sure why my 1798 was to big to fit in my album. Thought along those lines, but really didn't know.
Yes thank you as well for all that information I had no idea they did it by hand then I wasn’t sure when it stopped but it definitely adds a lot more meaning to it IMO. I couldn’t imagine cranking these out all day. I was absolutely confused when I first saw it but all of that explains everything now. From the sounds of it you know a little something about our old copper coins!
Been an EACer since 1982, Draped Bust cents are my favorite but I collect all the early dates by die variety. I currently have about 260 of the 295 varieties and 5 of the NC (non-collectible) varieties. have all the chain cent varieties and only need two varieties from 1795 to 1814
That is more then impressive wow! Can you send some pictures of your chain varieties never seen one in person
Unlike a lot of people here I don't take pictures of all my coins (or any of them) so I don't have any pictures. They wouldn't be that impressive anyway. I don't have a lot of money, so my best chain is my S-1 and it is only an AG-3.
I would be impressed. That's a heck of a collection if you are able to figure out the die varieties! Not everyone is impressed by proofs only. Congrats on putting that together.
