Is it true, legend, or fancy? Only her hairdresser knows for sure.

Have you heard this popular legend? Copper bands surrounding wooden kegs of gunpowder from the American Revolution were used as coin strips to punch the blanks used in the creation of the first American coin, the Flowing Hair, Chain Reverse Large Cent. A second reverse design featuring a wreath was produced in 1793.

The first Large Cent, Flowing Hair, Wreath Reverse, was minted by the Philadelphia Mint in 1793. It was the first Large Cent minted by the US Mint and was the first mass produced coinage by the newly independent States of America. Proceeded only by the Flowing Hair Half Disme, but the 1793 Chain Cent was the first coinage struck at the newly constructed Philadelphia Mint, that was produced in Patterns but also intended as coinage according to George Washington (The 1793 Cent was also proceeded by the 1792 Proposed Coinage Issues but none were used as coinage and are very rare).

The idea of the connected chains, as the first reverse, was to represent the unity of the newly founded United States Of America. However, the Chain design was short-lived and was replaced later in the year by the 1793 "Wreath" Cent. The Chain reverse is the most rare, only 18,000 minted, but the wreath reverse is also rare, and both are extremely rare in high grade. Furthermore, there are other minor design types referred to as varieties and these are even more rare than the regular issue mintages. The Strawberry Leaf variety being the most rare.

I'll be on the lookout for one of these.

This info came third hand. I guess a fellow named Malone was the source. I am looking for him. If you know of him, let me know. would love to talk to him.

Capt. Brian

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