Price Guide for 1793 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for 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.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $414,000.00 – $862,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350,000.00 – $775,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $26.50 – $87,000.00Uncirculated: $126,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,036.99 – $26,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,500.00 – $210,000.00Uncirculated: $240,000.00 – $2,200,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00 – $368,000.00Uncirculated: $218,500.00 – $1,500,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,850.00 – $27,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,450.00 – $435,000.00Uncirculated: $460,000.00 – $2,500,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,668.00 – $352,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $58.75 – $632,500.00Uncirculated: $319,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.50 – $17,000.00Uncirculated: $83.85 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,600.00 – $950,000.00Uncirculated: $1,250,000.00 – $2,000,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $13.80 – $71,300.00Uncirculated: $24,000.00 – $558,125.00
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eBayCirculated: $446.09 – $26,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,050.00 – $62,000.00Uncirculated: $67,500.00 – $650,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.50 – $92,000.00Uncirculated: $18,400.00 – $293,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $368.00 – $9,999.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,100.00 – $77,500.00Uncirculated: $90,000.00 – $340,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,070.00 – $940,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $8,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5,750.00 – $950,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,525.00 – $352,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,576.10 – $6,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,750.00 – $325,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $69.00 – $9,775.00Uncirculated: $115,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,680.00 – $368,000.00Uncirculated: $470,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,395.00 – $21,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,450.00 – $425,000.00Uncirculated: $450,000.00 – $2,500,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,380.00 – $199,750.00Uncirculated: $216,000.00 – $998,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,700.00 – $3,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 – $210,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00 – $600,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,560.00 – $156,000.00Uncirculated: $115,000.00 – $747,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,044.01 – $4,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 – $220,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00 – $960,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,875.00 – $52,875.00Uncirculated: $998,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4,889.00 – $5,000.00Uncirculated: $66,125.00 – $207,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,275.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $225,000.00 – $650,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $408.00 – $55,812.50Uncirculated: $40,800.00 – $235,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $621.66 – $5,875.80
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,000.00 – $65,000.00Uncirculated: $85,000.00 – $300,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $780.00 – $38,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $611.00 – $16,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $700.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7,200.00 – $43,200.00Uncirculated: $120,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $719.00 – $49,350.00Uncirculated: $84,000.00 – $408,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $830.00 – $1,640.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,250.00 – $62,000.00Uncirculated: $85,000.00 – $575,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $305.50 – $82,250.00Uncirculated: $99,000.00 – $528,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $660.00 – $10,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $850.00 – $60,000.00Uncirculated: $265,000.00 – $275,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11,400.00Uncirculated: $399,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $414.00 – $50,400.00Uncirculated: $108,688.00 – $180,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $46.00 – $2,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,850.00 – $28,500.00Uncirculated: $175,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,292.50 – $41,125.00Uncirculated: $217,375.00
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eBayCirculated: $3,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3,150.00 – $57,500.00Uncirculated: $315,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $27,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,348.90 – $10,200.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,185.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $660.00 – $57,600.00Uncirculated: $76,375.00 – $84,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $8,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,150.00 – $77,500.00Uncirculated: $90,000.00 – $110,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $432.00 – $64,625.00Uncirculated: $102,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $888.30 – $3,495.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,100.00 – $78,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $31.00 – $211,500.00Uncirculated: $19,263.00 – $1,380,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,499.99 – $11,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,750.00 – $260,000.00Uncirculated: $1,250,000.00 – $3,500,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $218,500.00 – $660,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $400,000.00 – $775,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $279.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,120.00 – $112,125.00
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eBayCirculated: $6,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,850.00 – $85,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16,800.00 – $102,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $265.00Uncirculated: $120.00 – $135.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,360.00 – $132,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $111,625.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5,040.00 – $63,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,645.00 – $216,000.00Uncirculated: $990,000.00 – $2,350,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,828.86 – $17,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,400.00 – $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.
