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Lot
35

1793 Chain 1C AMERICA VF35 PCGS....

2008 December Houston, TX Signature Coin Auction #1118

 
Sold for: Not Sold
Auction Ended On: Dec 4, 2008
Item Activity: 10 Internet/mail/phone bidders
4,708 page views

Description:

Pleasing 1793 S-3, B-4 Chain Cent, VF35

1793 Chain 1C AMERICA VF35 PCGS. S-3, B-4, R.3. The first coins struck at the fledgling United States Mint in Philadelphia were the Chain cents, struck in March 1793. After many years of Congressional discussion and debate, an Act establishing the Mint was finally passed on April 2, 1792, David Rittenhouse was appointed the first Mint director, real estate was acquired, employees were hired, equipment was obtained, and a quantity of copper was gathered. None of these preliminary steps were easy. Copper for these first coins came in the form of scrap that was acquired in various lots beginning in September 1792. Henry Voigt was responsible for the effort, and he was able to obtain more than three tons of the metal during the last four months of 1792.
Because the scrap copper came from various sources in different forms, it varied in quality, having many different trace elements in the mixture. When ingots were cast and strip rolled, the various trace elements would come to the surface, as would gas bubbles that created laminations. Although the technical explanation would be much more involved, the low quality of the copper translated directly to the coins in the form of laminations, split planchets, corrosion, and other problems. For those reasons, most Chain cents that exist today have rough surfaces and problems. The present coin, as remarkably fine as it is, provides a tangible example of the problems faced at the first Mint. The surfaces are show some roughness and a number of tiny pit marks. While some of those probably happened later, there is little doubt that many of the surface problems were a result of the substandard composition. Both sides have a few other blemishes and rim bumps that occurred after the coin was struck. It has excellent sharpness with light wear on the central obverse highpoints. EAC 15.(Registry values: N4719) (#1341)

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Rasmussen Special Edition Catalog
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Rasmussen Signed Limited Edition Catalog
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Guides and Pricing Information:


Previous Prices from Heritage Auctions

Lot Date Grade Service Realized
Auction 1121, Lot 165 Sunday, January 11, 2009 35 ANACS $12,075.00
View prices realized from this item in other grades (you must be signed in)
PLEASE NOTE: All prices realized reflect the final hammer price PLUS the buyer's premium in auctions that charge a buyer's premium. Each item has a notation at the top of the listing indicating whether that lot included a buyer's premium. All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. Please use this guide carefully and inform us of any inaccuracies.

Previous Prices Reported By Other Auction Firms (Not Verified By Heritage)

Source Date Grade Service Realized
Unconfirmed Sunday, May 24, 2009 35 PCGS $35,650.00
Unconfirmed Sunday, February 5, 2006 35 PCGS $43,700.00
PLEASE NOTE: Heritage has not verified this data, which represents the sale or auction of an item from a third party (and includes the Buyer’s Premium where applicable). All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but it has been taken from sources that may or may not be reliable and errors are possible. Please use this guide carefully and inform us of any inaccuracies.

Price Guide*

Grade Coin World
(Coin Values)
Numismedia
Retail
Numismedia
Wholesale
Numismedia
NGC (nmn)
Numismedia
PCGS (nmp)
PCGS
Price Guide
PCGS+
30 $37,500 $44,630 $35,700 $32,700 $32,700 $40,000 ---
35 --- $50,668 $40,530 $37,005 $37,005 $47,500 ---
40 $65,000 $61,880 $49,500 $45,000 $45,000 $65,000 ---
*All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. No item may be returned or refused based on this information which is provided as a service to our customers. You should contact each pricing source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.

Population Guide

Service Grade Population in this Grade Population of Higher Grade Population in All Grades + Mintage Engraver
PCGS Not available from PCGS 36,103 Henry Voigt
NGC 35 12 43 128 -
CAC 35 0 13 23 -
*This information is provided and owned by PCGS. Its display and use are subject to the licensed agreement between PCGS and Heritage Auctions.

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