Price Guide for 1793 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for 1793 Cent variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
1793 Penny Wreath, Strawberry Leaf, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $414,000.00 - $862,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350,000.00 - $775,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, America, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $26.50 - $87,000.00Uncirculated: $126,500.00
-
eBayCirculated: $1,036.99 - $26,100.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,500.00 - $210,000.00Uncirculated: $240,000.00 - $2,200,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, AMERI., BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00 - $368,000.00Uncirculated: $218,500.00 - $1,500,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $2,850.00 - $27,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,450.00 - $435,000.00Uncirculated: $460,000.00 - $2,500,000.00
1793 Penny Strawberry Leaf, NC-2, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,668.00 - $352,500.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $58.75 - $632,500.00Uncirculated: $319,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $11.50 - $17,000.00Uncirculated: $83.85 - $1,800.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,600.00 - $950,000.00Uncirculated: $1,250,000.00 - $2,000,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, Vine and Bars, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $13.80 - $71,300.00Uncirculated: $24,000.00 - $558,125.00
-
eBayCirculated: $446.09 - $26,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,050.00 - $62,000.00Uncirculated: $67,500.00 - $650,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.50 - $92,000.00Uncirculated: $18,400.00 - $293,750.00
-
eBayCirculated: $368.00 - $9,999.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,100.00 - $77,500.00Uncirculated: $90,000.00 - $340,000.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, S-13, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,070.00 - $940,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $8,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5,750.00 - $950,000.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, S-14, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,525.00 - $352,500.00
-
eBayCirculated: $1,576.10 - $6,900.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,750.00 - $325,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, America, RB (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $69.00 - $9,775.00Uncirculated: $115,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, Vine and Bars, RB (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4,889.00 - $5,000.00Uncirculated: $66,125.00 - $207,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $2,275.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $225,000.00 - $650,000.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, RB (Regular Strike)
-
eBayUncirculated: $279.99
1793 Penny Chain, AMERI., S-1, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,680.00 - $368,000.00Uncirculated: $470,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $1,395.00 - $21,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,450.00 - $425,000.00Uncirculated: $450,000.00 - $2,500,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, S-2, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,380.00 - $199,750.00Uncirculated: $216,000.00 - $998,750.00
-
eBayCirculated: $2,700.00 - $3,600.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 - $210,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00 - $600,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, S-3, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,560.00 - $156,000.00Uncirculated: $115,000.00 - $747,500.00
-
eBayCirculated: $2,044.01 - $4,200.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 - $220,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00 - $960,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, S-3, RB (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,875.00 - $52,875.00Uncirculated: $998,750.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, Periods, S-4, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,645.00 - $216,000.00Uncirculated: $990,000.00 - $2,350,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $1,828.86 - $17,995.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,400.00 - $260,000.00Uncirculated: $1,250,000.00 - $3,500,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-5, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $408.00 - $55,812.50Uncirculated: $40,800.00 - $235,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $621.66 - $5,875.80
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,000.00 - $65,000.00Uncirculated: $85,000.00 - $300,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-6, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $780.00 - $38,400.00
-
eBayCirculated: $611.00 - $16,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $700.00 - $45,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-7, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7,200.00 - $43,200.00Uncirculated: $120,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-8, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $719.00 - $49,350.00Uncirculated: $84,000.00 - $408,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $830.00 - $1,640.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,250.00 - $62,000.00Uncirculated: $85,000.00 - $575,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-9, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $305.50 - $82,250.00Uncirculated: $99,000.00 - $528,750.00
-
eBayCirculated: $660.00 - $10,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $850.00 - $60,000.00Uncirculated: $265,000.00 - $275,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-9, RB (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11,400.00Uncirculated: $399,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-10, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $414.00 - $50,400.00Uncirculated: $108,688.00 - $180,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $46.00 - $2,400.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,850.00 - $28,500.00Uncirculated: $175,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-11a, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,292.50 - $41,125.00Uncirculated: $217,375.00
-
eBayCirculated: $3,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 - $57,500.00Uncirculated: $315,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, NC-4, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $27,600.00
-
eBayCirculated: $1,348.90 - $10,200.00
1793 Penny Wreath, NC-5, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,185.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-11b, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $660.00 - $57,600.00Uncirculated: $76,375.00 - $84,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $8,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,150.00 - $77,500.00Uncirculated: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00
1793 Penny Wreath, S-11c, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $432.00 - $64,625.00Uncirculated: $57,600.00 - $102,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $888.30 - $3,495.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,100.00 - $78,500.00
1793 Penny Strawberry Leaf, NC-3, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $218,500.00 - $660,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $400,000.00 - $775,000.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, S-12, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,120.00 - $112,125.00
-
eBayCirculated: $6,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,850.00 - $85,000.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, S-15, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16,800.00 - $102,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $265.00Uncirculated: $120.00 - $135.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, S-16, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,360.00 - $132,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $111,625.00
1793 Penny Liberty Cap, NC-6, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5,040.00 - $63,000.00
1793 Penny Chain, Periods, BN (Regular Strike)
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $31.00 - $211,500.00Uncirculated: $19,263.00 - $1,380,000.00
-
eBayCirculated: $2,499.99 - $11,500.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,750.00 - $260,000.00Uncirculated: $1,250,000.00 - $3,500,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1793 Cent
The 1793 Chain Cent was the first official cent coin issued by the United States Mint. It was produced for only a short time, from February to March 1793, before being replaced by the Wreath Cent design. The chain on the reverse, symbolizing the unity of the states, was criticized for resembling slavery chains, leading to its quick replacement.
This coin represents a crucial piece of early American numismatic history, marking the beginning of regular coinage production by the newly established United States Mint.
Weight | 13.48 grams |
---|---|
Diameter | 27-28 mm |
Mint Marks | No mint marks (all minted in Philadelphia) |
Composition | 100% Copper |
Obverse Design | Liberty head with flowing hair, designed by Henry Voigt |
Reverse Design | Chain of 15 links (representing the 15 states), designed by Henry Voigt |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1793 Chain Cents has a dramatic impact on their value. Due to their age and brief circulation period, most surviving examples show significant wear. Coins in Fine condition or better are highly sought after and command substantial premiums.
Strike quality varies considerably among surviving specimens, with well-struck examples being particularly desirable. The presence of original copper color and absence of significant corrosion or environmental damage can greatly enhance value.
Mintage: 36,103
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades above Fine, with only a handful known in Mint State
Varieties Errors: AMERI. variety, Period After Date variety, With Periods variety
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and rarity
Variety plays a crucial role in determining value. The AMERI. variety, with the abbreviated 'AMERI.' instead of 'AMERICA' on the reverse, is particularly rare and valuable. The With Periods variety, featuring periods after 'LIBERTY' and the date, also commands a premium.
Provenance can significantly impact value, with coins having a documented history of ownership by notable collectors or appearance in important auctions being especially desirable. The historical significance of this coin as the first US cent adds considerable appeal to collectors and often drives prices higher than condition alone might suggest.
Helpful Resources
Explore these valuable resources to enhance your coin collecting knowledge
Coin Value Checker
Free US coin value lookup with real-world market prices
Coin Analysis Tool
Identify, value, grade, and authenticate your coins instantly
Auction Records Tool
Access comprehensive US coin auction data
Quarter & Penny Value Guides
Find detailed value guides for both modern and classic quarters and pennies
2024 Quarter Values
Mint Marks, Proofs & Rare Prices
2022 Quarter Value Guide
Mint Marks, Proofs & Rare Prices
2023 Quarter Values
Complete Value Guide & Price Chart
Post-2000 Quarter Values
50 Most Valuable Modern Quarters
Post-1965 Quarter Values
50 Most Valuable Quarters Guide
60s & 70s Penny Values
Top 50 Most Valuable Finds
Error Coin Guides
Discover comprehensive guides about rare minting errors and valuable mistakes
2024 Quarter Error Guide
In Cod We Trust, Doubled Dies & Values
2023 Quarter Error Guide
Die Breaks, Cuds, and Rare Minting Errors
2022 Quarter Error Analysis
Die Breaks, Cuds & Clash Marks
2021 P&D Quarter Errors
Crown Die Chip, Crossing Delaware Errors
Bessie Coleman Quarter Errors
IN COD WE TRUST, Die Chip Values
Bicentennial Quarter Errors
Wrong Planchet, Off-Center & Die Cracks
Essential Coin Collecting Guides
Access comprehensive resources for identifying, grading, and selling your coins
Coin Designation Guide
Comprehensive Guide To Grading, Errors, Mint Marks, And Certification Terms
Selling Coins Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Selling Coins: Maximizing Your Returns
Key Date U.S. Coins
A Chronological Checklist for Collectors
Coin Value Guide
Expert Methods to Identify, Grade, and Sell Your Numismatic Treasures
U.S. Mint Marks Guide
Complete History of American Coin Mint Marks (1793-Present)
Coin Condition & Grading
Ultimate Guide: Sheldon Scale Explained with Photos
US Coin Specifications
Explore detailed physical characteristics and specifications for all US coin denominations
US Coin Weight Guide
Complete US Coin Weight Guide: Measure Penny, Quarter, Nickel & Dime Weight in Grams
US Coin Metal Composition
What Are Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars & Dollars Made Of
US Coin Size Guide
Complete Penny, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar & Dollar Diameter Chart
US Coin Thickness Chart
Penny, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar & Dollar Dimensions
Who is on US Coins?
Penny, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar & Dollar Portraits
Complete Specifications
Comprehensive guide to all US coin measurements and specifications