1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain Reverse. S-3. Rarity-3-. AMERICA, Without Periods. VF-35 (PCGS).This is an exceptionally attractive coin for both the type and the assigned grade. Beautifully toned in blended olive and golden-brown, the surfaces are satiny, hard and tight. There are no planchet pits, marks or other blemishes that we deem worthy of mention, the in hand appearance smooth and highly appealing. Reverse detail is expectably sharp for the type, but it is the obverse that is truly remarkable in this regard. The date and the word LIBERTY are sharp, as is Libertys portrait apart from softness to the central high point. A touch of glossiness to the texture is noted solely for accuracy, as this is clearly an attractive and highly desirable Chain cent at the assigned grade level. Noyes Die State A/C.<p>A classic of American numismatics for generations, the 1793 Chain cents are the first coins put into large-scale production at the newly opened Mint facilities in Philadelphia. Originally intended to be coined at a weight standard of 17.11 grams, this was proven to be unusable prior to production and was reduced to 13.48 grams. The first of three different cent designs used in 1793, Henry Voigts dies were ready by February and the entire mintage of 36,103 Chain cents was accomplished in eight batches between February 27 and March 12 using five separate die pairings. The mintage for the Sheldon-3 variety with AMERICA spelled out fully and with periods on the obverse as represented here, is thought to have comprised the bulk of the deliveries from March 2 through 8 totaling as many as 18,000 coins. Unfortunately for Voigt, the design was roundly criticized from the outset saying that the disheveled Flowing Hair bust was unbecoming and the chains on the reverse more indicative of bondage and slavery than anything else, an observation made even more apparent from specimens struck from clashed dies that gave the appearance of a wreath of chains around Liberty. Despite the criticisms, the new cents entered circulation where they suffered from all sorts of trials and tribulations. Today, the vast majority of specimens are not only found in low grade, but also heavily impaired or damaged. Undamaged mid-grade examples are as scarce as they are in perpetual demand, so expect lively competition to acquire this specimen for an advanced large cent cabinet or type set.
