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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;900fine, post: 2582318, member: 6036&quot;]Interesting sidelights on this particular specimen:</p><p><br /></p><p>It illustrates why low grade chain cents often show the chain and nothing else. The chain persists longer than any other feature because the links are the highest relief elements on the coin. This is unusual; typically, Lady Liberty is highest relief (e.g. Wreath and Liberty Cap cents).</p><p><br /></p><p>But why? Why, oh why?</p><p><br /></p><p>Because the Chain Cent is the only coin in US History which had no master die or device punch with which one creates a working die. Amazingly, Lady Liberty was engraved directly onto the face of the working die! </p><p><br /></p><p>For this reason, Liberty is quite low relief, and wears away faster than the chain links. It also explains why Liberty looks quite different on each of the four known obverse dies. </p><p><br /></p><p>This helps us understand and empathize with the difficult working conditions in the nascent US Mint.</p><p><br /></p><p>Peace and blessings at Christmas, everybody![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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