Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-25

ldays OF so-callcd modern hustle in
which rapdity of action and accom-
| pIishment are expected in all Things
| the almost painful moderation OF
those having in charge the establish
lment of coinage system Tor the
newly formed Union of States seems
almost incredible.
Commencing in 1856. few coppers
| thc Fugio cent? were issued IN l'St,
then a rest and q o-nothing-policy
for four years or until 1871 when the
"Washington President. cents We're
produced, a beautiful coin, only to be
rejected and properly 50 by Washing
ton himself Then another long wait
of two years or until 1193.
we can well imagine the Impotence
of the merchants and business people
and the Inconvenience suffered by the
inha bitants at large for the want OF
a minor coin.
But with the advent OF the year 1913
relief came with the issuing of the
first regular United States of America
cent, a real one cent piece, the now
much sought after and highly priced
chain cent of 1873, and as if to make
up in way. for lost time, this ennis
sion was quickly followed by no less
than three other cent pieces of differ
eni design during the same year
1t will be noticed that this first
issue was also copper which 1t
would appear was ever uppermost IN
the minds of the officials as well as
the tradespeople, but that it was most
heartily welcomed there is little doubt,
filling as it did the proverbial long
felt want r"
The cent, although a humble coin,
has at least one honorable distinction
over all other coins issued by the I. ;.
Govcl nmcnt in that from the time of
It's inception and issue in 1873 it has
gone forth from the Philadelphia mint
Zach year with uninterrupted regular
ty until the present time, the only eX-
ceptiOn being in 1915 when owing, eth
er to a fire which partly destroyed the
mint, or as some authorities maintain.
the failure of the mint agents in Eu-
rope to forward the necessary supply
of copper, none We're coined. Copper
metal in those days was much
|scarcer commodity than now and was
imported from Europe, costing from
ID
these larger coins weighing approXi-
mately four pounds to the hundred
were wen worth their face value the
world over.
The act OF 1872 authorizing their
coinage, stipulated that they should
weigh 264 grains. but President Wash
ington lii 1896 issued a proclamation
in which lie set forth that owing to
the high price Of copper the weight of
the cent be reduced to 16S grains, and
this size and weight was maintained
Throughout all the following years un-
Ill 1851 when the coinage of the large
|copperS ceased.
That our early cents were in demand
abroad is proven some say by the as
yet unauthenticated story accounting
sor the great rarity of the 1899 cent.
It is claimed the entire issue of the
cents Of that year were bought up by
a Salem, Mass. shipping firm and
shipped to the African coast for trade
with the natives. but that both ship
and cargo were lost. hence the great
scarcity Of that particular date.
The big cent outlived its usefulness
and was swept aside by the march Of
progress in favor of the present small
ar and much more convenient coin,
and although this latter may be but
fiat money and not worth in metal
what it represents. it has the guaran-
tee Of the Government and will al
WAYS be worth in our land at least
"ONE CENT"
Let US consider briefly these early
issues.
Chain cent. Device female head
'acins right. hair flowing and uncon-
fned above, CELEBRITY" below,
date, "17s3"
Reverse. an endless chain of Isl
inks and within the circle thus form
ed ONE CENT" 1-100 inscription
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
On the edge of the coin a vine and
bars alternating. This coin. lacking
beading or finish on the outer edges,
vas severely plain and the device a
chain. together with the crude head
intended to represent liberty. was Sc
)utspoken opposition
Alexander Hamilton was at the
lime Secretary of the Treasury. and
titG al al IbDSlOll newspaper OF
March 26. 1893. said editorially. The
chain on the reverse is but bad
omen for liberty and Liberty herself
appears to be in fright May she
not justly cry out in the words of the
Apostle. Alexander the coppersmith
has done me much harm the Lord re-
ward him according to his works."
The universal protest was apparent
~ needed and quickly, for the device
was changed and although the bust
less Goddess was retained the Cbjec-
tionable chain was discarded and in
It's place was substituted the ia
miliar laurel wreath. There was also
added border Of dots as a sort of
finish to both sides Of. the coin and a
small sprig Of strawberry leaves was
added just below the head
Later on in the year these second
dles were recast the general device
was unchanged, but a sprig of olive
was substituted for the strawberry.
and on the edge of the coin, incuse.
was added ONE HUNDRED FOR A
DOLLAR"
Towards the very Ia Ct of fba ,.o,r