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Woman digging in garden finds 1793 "chain" cent

Aug 1, 2007 — BURNHAM - A penny saved is a penny earned, but a 1793 cent found in the garden is probably worth a lot more to a Mifflin County woman.
Cheryl Corbin first thought she had picked up a quarter while planting flowers in June, then saw the date and thought it was a bicentennial coin. At work the next day, Corbin said, “I had the office in an uproar.”
Co-workers searched the Internet and identified the coin as a 1793 copper “chain” cent. The front featured Lady Liberty and the back had a circle of 15 chain links representing the 15 states in the union at that time.
Though Corbin's coin was heavily corroded, she said a specialist told her it still could be worth $1,500 to $3,000.
David Wilson, owner of 4 Star Coins and Jewelry in Burnham, said he had sold a chain cent that was in mint condition for $22,000, but if Corbin's was heavily corroded it may only be worth a few hundred dollars.
Corbin said her coin is at Stacks Rare Coins in New York City, soaking in oil to try to remove some of the corrosion, and is scheduled to be featured in a September auction.
Cheryl Corbin first thought she had picked up a quarter while planting flowers in June, then saw the date and thought it was a bicentennial coin. At work the next day, Corbin said, “I had the office in an uproar.”
Co-workers searched the Internet and identified the coin as a 1793 copper “chain” cent. The front featured Lady Liberty and the back had a circle of 15 chain links representing the 15 states in the union at that time.
Though Corbin's coin was heavily corroded, she said a specialist told her it still could be worth $1,500 to $3,000.
David Wilson, owner of 4 Star Coins and Jewelry in Burnham, said he had sold a chain cent that was in mint condition for $22,000, but if Corbin's was heavily corroded it may only be worth a few hundred dollars.
Corbin said her coin is at Stacks Rare Coins in New York City, soaking in oil to try to remove some of the corrosion, and is scheduled to be featured in a September auction.
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<< <i>David Wilson, owner of 4 Star Coins and Jewelry in Burnham, said he had sold a chain cent that was in mint condition for $22,000, but if Corbin's was heavily corroded it may only be worth a few hundred dollars. >>
When? In 1982?
I think I want to load up on the Chain cents this guy sells.
Self, You need to start a garden !
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>My house is built on an old piece of land that has been farmed since the Revolution (up until about 8 years ago, the farmer was still farming the property, until he sold out and some McMansions were built
Wow, that is some OLD farmer
Sorry, i couldn't resist...
John
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."
Sweet find!
They call me "Pack the Ripper"
just think........in the future someone will dig up a prez buck in their garden!
<< <i>just think........in the future someone will dig up a prez buck in their garden!
If its a Clinton dollar, it was probably buried by either Paula, Monica or Hillary
But a chain cent (even a corroded chain cent)! Woo-hoo, THAT would be a thrill!
People have dropped and lost a lot of coins in a lot of different places over the years. Keep your eyes open.
<< <i>Corbin said her coin is at Stacks Rare Coins in New York City, soaking in oil to try to remove some of the corrosion, and is scheduled to be featured in a September auction. >>
stacks cleans coins?
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
Only the ones they want to sell!!
Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
No, it's just that stories of the far more common coins found in backyards never make the national news.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
The ring had belonged to their great grandmother and at her death was given to their mother. She had been working in the garden nearly forty years earlier and her grandmother’s wedding ring slipped from her finger. The family searched the garden, going so far as to dig up and sift much of the dirt.
This didn’t make the national, or even the local papers; few such improbable, personal events do.
NSDR - Life Member
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You wouldn't believe how long it took to get him to sit still for this.
WS
I still have it, and recently purchased an Airtite to hold it.
I haven't told anybody about it till now!
42/92
What state was that found in?
Aug 1, 2007 — BURNHAM - A penny saved is a penny earned, but a 1793 cent found in the garden is probably worth a lot more to a Mifflin County woman.
A Google search on the bolded words will tell you it's in central PA..