Flowing Hair Chain Cent, 1793: History and Design

The 1793 Chain cent is the earliest regular-issue coinage of the United States one-cent piece and one of the first federal coins struck for general circulation at the new Philadelphia Mint. Production began within the Mint’s opening months, when officials were still translating the young republic’s monetary law into coins that could survive commerce. It was replaced within the same year by the 1793 Wreath cent, giving the denomination three distinct major designs before 1793 was even over.

GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place if you’re building a type set of early American copper, compare available examples of this foundational design, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

Design and history

PCGS attributes the Chain cent’s design to Henry Voigt, the Mint’s first chief coiner. Liberty faces right on the obverse, her hair long and loosely flowing behind her head, with LIBERTY above and the date 1793 below. The portrait is markedly different from the more formal, later depictions of Liberty that followed — this is a free woman rendered in the visual language of the early republic, not a monarch.

The reverse gives the design its name. Fifteen interlocking links form a continuous chain encircling the denomination ONE CENT and the fraction 1/100, with the fifteen links corresponding to the fifteen states then in the Union and the unbroken chain intended to express national unity. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the composition, though one early reverse form abbreviates the country as AMERI. instead of spelling it out in full — a recognized variety within the single Chain-cent type rather than a separate design or an error.

Chain cents were struck in copper at Philadelphia, the only mint producing cents at any point during this design’s brief life. PCGS lists a standard weight of 13.48 grams and a diameter of approximately 27 millimeters — considerably larger and heavier than any cent struck since — with an edge decorated with bars and vines rather than plain or lettered. That substantial size reflects the young nation’s commodity-minded approach to coinage: a copper cent was expected to contain close to a cent’s worth of copper, a standard that would prove difficult to sustain as copper costs and manufacturing expenses rose in later years.

PCGS records a mintage of 36,103 Chain cents, encompassing both the AMERICA and AMERI. reverse forms and several individual die combinations. The design’s short life reflects how rapidly the new Mint was experimenting rather than any flaw in the chain motif itself; within months the Mint moved on to the Wreath cent, and by year’s end to the Liberty Cap cent as well.

Notable dates within this design

Every Chain cent is dated 1793 — there is no other date to search for within this type. Within that single year, the most significant collector distinction is the reverse legend: most Chain cents spell out UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in full, while an earlier reverse abbreviates the country name as AMERI. PCGS treats these as recognized varieties of the same basic type rather than separate issues, but the AMERI. reverse is scarcer and commands a premium among specialists.

Because Chain cents are valuable, historically important, and were struck using the comparatively crude die and planchet production of the Mint’s first year, they have long attracted counterfeits and deceptive copies. PCGS cautions that authenticating a 1793 cent should never rely on weight alone; surface texture, edge treatment, die characteristics and overall style all factor into a genuine determination. Collectors researching general detection concepts before buying any early, high-value copper coin can review GetCoinHunt’s documented counterfeit coins reference guide.

Collecting this design

Chain cents are scarce in every grade, and even well-worn, problem examples routinely draw strong collector interest simply because of the type’s short mintage and foundational place in U.S. coinage. Certification from PCGS or NGC is close to essential at this level of the market — both for authentication and because the difference between a details grade and a problem-free example has an outsized effect on price for a coin this significant.

Grading large cents also means grading on a scale with roots in this very series. The American Numismatic Association credits numismatist William Sheldon with developing the 1–70 point grading scale — originally devised for large cents through his research on the series — that eventually became the basis for the numeric grading standard used across all U.S. coins today. Porosity, uneven color, and planchet flaws are common and expected on coins struck under the early Mint’s variable copper supply and hand-operated equipment; they affect grade but are not automatically signs of post-Mint damage. What does matter for value is evidence of cleaning, harsh polishing, or artificial recoloring meant to disguise wear or corrosion, which a certified holder will flag as a details grade.

Suggested search terms and filters

• “1793 Chain cent”
• “Chain cent AMERI.” (scarcer reverse variety)
• “Chain cent AMERICA”
• Filter by grading service (PCGS, NGC)
• Filter by grade range (most surviving examples fall in the lower circulated grades)

Availability and pricing notes

The 1793 Chain cent is scarce in absolute terms at every grade level, and even heavily worn, environmentally damaged examples typically command four- or five-figure prices given the type’s single-year mintage and status as the first regular-issue U.S. cent. Problem-free examples in mid or higher circulated grades are considerably harder to find and priced well beyond typical large-cent budgets.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, pricing, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1793 Chain Cent” — or a specific variety like “Chain cent AMERI.” — to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by variety, grade, certification, and asking price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If nothing currently listed fits your budget or condition target, save the search as a wishlist item.
4. Get notified about new matches. When new dealer inventory matching your wishlist appears, GetCoinHunt sends an alert so you can review it before it sells.
5. Verify before buying. Confirm certification, review the holder’s grade and any details designation, and check the seller’s return policy — especially important given the type’s value and counterfeiting history.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the 1793 Chain cent considered the first U.S. cent?

It was the first one-cent coin struck for regular circulation by the newly established United States Mint, beginning production in the opening months of 1793 at the Philadelphia Mint.

What is the difference between the AMERI. and AMERICA reverse varieties?

The AMERI. reverse abbreviates UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while the more common reverse spells the country name out in full. PCGS treats both as varieties within the single Chain-cent type, though the AMERI. reverse is scarcer.

Was the Chain cent struck in more than one year?

No. Every Chain cent is dated 1793. The Mint replaced it that same year with the Wreath cent, and by the end of 1793 had introduced the Liberty Cap cent as well.

Why do 1793 cents require extra caution against counterfeits?

Their value, historical significance, and the comparatively crude production standards of the Mint’s first year have made 1793 cents a long-standing target for copies and alterations. Certification from a major grading service and attention to diagnostics beyond simple weight are strongly recommended.

What replaced the Chain cent?

The Wreath cent replaced the Chain cent later in 1793, keeping Liberty’s flowing-hair portrait but redesigning the reverse around a botanical wreath instead of interlocking chain links.

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