Coin Collecting at the Safir House Large Cents

At this time, cent coins had considerable value and there existed half cent coins as well. Its very possible that people could live most of their lives without ever handling any coin other than a copper cent. And the amount of copper in the cent was to be in some alignment with the value of copper compared to a gold dollar or a silver dollar.

Once the industrial revolution kicks in, the thinking of cents changes. The coins are increasingly abandoned in circulating use. The public views them as being large and cumbersome. And by 1856 consideration is being given to a new cent design more similar to the size which we are familiar with today. Thus, these coins are a good barometer for the historical changes of the nation leading into the civil war.

We have three copperheads, as they are known. One is a 1817 example and an 1851 example. The last one is the 1795 Cent, fairly rare. The 1817 model is in Good condition or less, but still fun. It seems to be an N-10 by Sheldon and Newcomb. The 1851 example is in better shape. Thanks goes out to Handsome Toad for helping me identify the varieties.

The 1795 Cent is a bit more complex. It is a slabbed coin, and rather faded. But any coin with a 17 in the date is fun to have and own. This variety is a S-76 on the Sheldon and Newcomb identifcation system

These photographs have been lightened in order to show their detail.