1793 Flowing Hair Chain cent

Most United States coins struck since 1793 have borne the name of the issuing authority UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. However, on one coin - the first die variety of the 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent - the engraver abbreviated AMERICA for reasons we may never know for certain.

When engraving the first die, the engraver attempted to spell out UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, but stopped before he finished AMERICA. He stopped after AMERI., and added a period to make it an abbreviation. There was space for the CA, but for some reason, possibly because of a desire for symmetry, the word was unfinished.

The second reverse die for the Chain cent features AMERICA fully spelled out.

The 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent is considered one of the most desirable of all United States coins for several reasons.

It was the first United States coin struck on site at the Philadelphia Mint, on March 1-12, 1793. That fact will forever ensure it a special place in most collections.

The mintage of 36,103 pieces is minuscule by today's standards, in which cent mintages total more than 10 billion coins per year.

The reverse 15-link chain meant to represent the unity of the 15 states was perceived by many as a symbol of slavery - not a good omen for a new nation. Thus, the reverse design was quickly changed to a wreath design.