COPPER CURRENCY: Mr. Seybert said he was about to offer a resolution for the consideration of the House, the propriety of which had been suggested by several gentlemen. Letters have been received in which it is stated that many persons are now engaged in melting the copper coins of the U. States. This was occasioned by the present enhanced price of copper. - Weekly Raleigh Register, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 18, 1814Though abundant mint color tends to coexist most melodiously with lighter shades, witnessed when mint red has simply mellowed into the brown spectrum, occasionally a coin like this will buck that trend, showing red as bright as the day it left the mint in contrast with dark chocolate brown that has settled beautifully across the obverse. The reverse is more mottled, with deep olive highlights blending with pale blue and traces of mint red. The trivial deposits on the reverse underscore this pieces bold originality without measurably affecting the eye appeal or the strength of the luster. A small lamination hangs near the denticles opposite the tip of the bust, but the obverse hosts no post-striking flaws of consequence. The reverse is similarly free of contact marks, showing just a natural low spot directly below the base of the wreath. Surface encrustation is seen around the berry right of the top of the T in CENT and within the top of E in AMERICA. A shallow band of deposits connects the N of ONE to the N of CENT below. Faint evidence of die clashing is seen along the outline of Libertys profile and a light crack connects the tip of the bust to the rim beyond. This state aligns to Breens Die State II, a fairly crisp and early state whose detail stands out from the many later states that follow.Among the most enduring large cent legends is that 1814 cents are scarce because a contemporary rumor suggested their alloy contained gold, thus inspiring the credulous to melt them. This falsehood appears in the literature quite early. Montroville W. Dickeson reported in 1859 "additional value has been attached to the issues of [this] year, in consequence of a rumor that it contained gold lost at the Mint at that time. Many cling to them with much tenacity on that account - the slightest basis for credulity being ardently responded to." Like so many tall tales, there may be a nugget of truth within it. Pennsylvania Congressman Adam Seybert of Philadelphia actually considered legislation in March 1814 to consider changing the composition of cents amid reports of widespread melting of copper coins because of a "present enhanced price of copper." A contemporary newspaper item reported "Copper sheets were now selling at from 60 to 70 cents per lb. Those who melted the cents coined at the Mint of the U. States would gain from 20 to 30 per cent." Apparently Seybert thought better of it, as the next weeks paper said that his resolution had been withdrawn as "it was inexpedient at this time to make any alterations in the copper coins of the U. States." Though the historical record appears otherwise silent on the issue, it is easy to imagine such an inquiry begetting rumors of lost gold melted into this years copper coinage.Discovered in England in 1978, this coin made its way to Ted Naftzger within just months. The finest cents rolled steadily downhill towards Naftzgers cabinet in this era, and once a new gem was discovered there was little doubt who would end up owning it. Among all 1814 cents seen by PCGS, including both the Plain 4 and Crosslet 4 varieties, there are only three listings for coins at higher grades. This piece is listed atop the Bland census and serves as the plate coin in the 1991 Noyes reference on early date cents.
