Flowing Hair Chain Cents 1793

Coin Series

About This Series

No coins in American numismatics carry greater historical weight than the 1793 Chain cent — the first coins struck for general circulation by the United States Mint. Liberty's portrait with flowing hair dominates the obverse, while the reverse displays a chain of 15 links representing the states, encircling the denomination ONE CENT and the fraction 1/100. Public reaction to the chain design was swift and negative: critics complained that Liberty looked frightened and that the chain symbolized slavery rather than unity, prompting the Mint to replace the reverse within weeks. Only approximately 36,103 Chain cents were produced before the switch to the Wreath reverse, and two major reverse varieties exist — the AMERI. abbreviation (Sheldon 1-3) and the full AMERICA spelling (Sheldon 4). This brief production run created one of the most sought-after coins in American numismatics; even well-worn AG-3 examples sell for five-figure prices. Struck in copper on 26-27mm planchets weighing approximately 13.48 grams, Chain cents were authorized under the Coinage Act of April 2, 1792. The Sheldon reference catalogs four die marriages, each individually tracked by specialists. Owning a Chain cent means holding a physical artifact from the very first day of the American coinage experiment — a tangible connection to the founding of the nation's monetary system.