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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.

Comments

  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭


    << <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.
  • PrethenPrethen Posts: 3,461 ✭✭✭
    "Michigan", you don't have you PM turned on. Could you possibly PM me with your e-mail address; I have a question for you. Thanks.
  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    Note to self,
    Self, You need to start a garden !
    image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • Very cool find!
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    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 image ). It is a few acres and I would love to metal detect it to see what turns up. Maybe I will strike it rich, too!
    Always took candy from strangers
    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)
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    I guess that means that there is still hope. image
  • jhdflajhdfla Posts: 3,030 ✭✭✭


    << <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 image ).

    Wow, that is some OLD farmer image
    Sorry, i couldn't resist...

    John
  • pharmerpharmer Posts: 8,355
    Must be one of those immutable laws of the universe that coins found in someone's backyard will always be very rare and valuable.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The only thing I ever found digging was an 1928 Buff.

    Sweet find!
  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,902 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Interesting to hear that Stacks is in the coin cleaning business.
  • dtkk49adtkk49a Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    About 20 years ago, I found a nice EF 1908 Barber dime while gardening at my parents. Still have it.
    Follow me - Cards_and_Coins on Instagram



    They call me "Pack the Ripper"
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    just think........in the future someone will dig up a prez buck in their garden!


    image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington


  • << <i>just think........in the future someone will dig up a prez buck in their garden!


    image >>



    If its a Clinton dollar, it was probably buried by either Paula, Monica or Hillary image
    Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
  • MercfanMercfan Posts: 701 ✭✭
    In 1991 I was raking out some topsoil in my backyard and found a 1911 Barber dime in G-VG. Felt pretty good about it and kept on raking, and a few minutes later found an 11-D, also G-VG. Ran out to the nearest Taylor Rental store to rent a metal detector for the afternoon. Subsequently found a common date Liberty nickel in G and some unremarkable Lincolns. (Also some toy soldiers and other interesting odds and ends.)

    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.

    image
    "Coin collecting problem"? What "coin collecting problem"?
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭


    << <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?
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • fastrudyfastrudy Posts: 2,096
    stacks cleans coins?

    Only the ones they want to sell!!
    Successful transactions with: DCarr, Meltdown, Notwilight, Loki, MMR, Musky1011, cohodk, claychaser, cheezhed, guitarwes, Hayden, USMoneyLover

    Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
  • Coin FinderCoin Finder Posts: 7,394 ✭✭✭✭✭
    where is Burnham?
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Must be one of those immutable laws of the universe that coins found in someone's backyard will always be very rare and valuable.

    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

  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082
    As a teenager, I was helping the two spinster ladies next door weed their large garden. I pulled up some sort of weed and stuck in the roots was a gold wedding ring. I took it to one of the ladies and she dipped it in water to clean off the dirt, then looked at the inside of the ring where there was an inscription. Almost immediately she trotted over to her sister, showed her the ring and the two started hugging each other and crying.

    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.
  • CoxeCoxe Posts: 11,139
    It is amazing also the finds in old eastern homes behind the plaster in the walls. Workers occasionally left then conntemporary coins and similar items. I know of more than one case where a rare beer can, in nearly pristine condition, was found sitting on a fireblock or similar inside a wall. Who figured that a construction worker int he 40s might have a brew on the job?
    Select Rarities -- DMPLs and VAMs
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  • direwolf1972direwolf1972 Posts: 2,076 ✭✭✭
    About ten years ago I was walking thru a freshly plowed field and found a holed Spanish silver piece of eight. It was 1790ish. I'd like to say the exact year but my brother disappeared with it from my safe when he was looking for coins of my fathers (after he died). Easy come, easy go. Was one of my favorite coins ever since I found it with no detector or digging. Just happened to look down in the right spot at the right time. I'd like to think he's still got it and maybe some day I'll see it again.... but he's an addict so he doesn't hold onto much for long image
    I'll see your bunny with a pancake on his head and raise you a Siamese cat with a miniature pumpkin on his head.

    You wouldn't believe how long it took to get him to sit still for this.


  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,913 ✭✭✭✭✭
    f Corbin's was heavily corroded it may only be worth a few hundred dollars said the dealer. "the best I can offer you is $200, take it or leave it"

    WS
    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • gonzergonzer Posts: 3,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    She can realize more money if she can get the coin certified.....organic.
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭
    What state was that found in? image
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • sfs2002usasfs2002usa Posts: 917 ✭✭✭
    Nothing special: I found a 1944 S Mercury in garden dirt when working on a renovation in 1979.
    I still have it, and recently purchased an Airtite to hold it.
    I haven't told anybody about it till now!
  • stev32kstev32k Posts: 2,098 ✭✭✭
    The only thing I've ever found in my garden is rusty nails, bottle caps, and pull tabs.
    Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard drive?
  • image
    -George
    42/92
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    where is Burnham?

    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..
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Barry. image
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"

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