Silver center cent
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The silver center cent was an American pattern coin, one of the precursors to the large cent and an early example of a bimetallic coin.
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[edit] Origins
During the early years of the American republic, there was a general consensus that the intrinsic bullion value of the new nation's coinage should be approximately equal to its face value. This, it was believed, would bolster international confidence in the currency. For most denominations, this was accomplished by producing the coins in a gold or silver alloy. However, the cent presented a problem: a coin made of silver would be far too small and easily lost, while one of copper would be large and unwieldy; the initial coinage act specified a cent consisting of 264 grains of pure copper.
U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson suggested an alternative: the coin could be made of an alloy that was primarily copper, but which consisted of enough silver to generate an intrinsic value of one cent with a reasonable coin size. This billon alloy was considered by the U.S. Mint, but U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton feared that it would be too susceptible to counterfeiting, since its appearance differed little from that of pure copper. The Mint's chief coiner, Henry Voight, hit upon a solution: a copper planchet, slightly smaller than that of a modern quarter, with a small silver "plug" inserted in a center hole during the striking process. Several such coins were produced as test pieces, with about a dozen known today.
Ultimately, the additional labor required for these bimetallic coins proved unsuitable for mass production, and the large cent that was produced for circulation starting in 1793 consisted of 208 grains of 100% copper.
[edit] Obverse design
The obverse of the silver center cent features a Liberty head with flowing hair. The date appears below the portrait, and the words "LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUST." are inscribed in a circular pattern around the central devices.
[edit] Reverse design
The reverse design consists of a wreath with the words "ONE CENT" in the center, and the fraction "1/100" below. Surrounding the wreath, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" is inscribed.
