Birch Cent – 1792

The 1792 Birch Cent- A Copper Cent with Four Variations

It is believed that the 1792 Birch Cent was one of the types of coins that Thomas Jefferson discussed with George Washington in 1792. The other coin discussed was the Silver Center Cent. These coins were being debated among the Founding Fathers as possible coinage – since Washington had demolished the notion of placing his likeness on any American coin. 

The Coinage Act of 1792 mandated that any copper cents contain 264 grains of pure copper, which the Birch Cent does.  The so-called Birch cents were designed by Robert Birch, one of the original 1792 US Mint employees. He also engraved the famous silver 1792 Half Dismes and Dismes. The design characteristics of all of these coins are very similar.

The obverse of the coin has a depiction of an allegorical representation of Miss Liberty, facing right. She has windswept hair flowing behind her head. Around the periphery of the obverse is the legend “LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE AND LIBERTY” and below the bust of the date “1792.”

The reverse of this coin has the words “ONE CENT” on two lines in the center of the coin. Surrounding the denomination is a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon at the bow. Around the periphery of the reverse are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “1/100”.

There are essentially 3 types of Birch Cent:

• The Plain edge, depicted above, of which there are only two known specimens extant;
• There is a lettered edge variety on which is lettered “TO BE ESTEEMED * BE USEFUL*” of which there are 6 or 7 known specimens (see below);
• There is a second-lettered edge variety with a variant of the above lettering which is “TO BE ESTEEMED BE USEFUL” (NO STARS) of which there are two knowns.
• There is actually a 4th variety that was struck in White Metal and has “G*W*Pt.” struck on the reverse below the wreath where the denomination is on the copper versions. It is unique!

The reason for so many varieties of so few coins struck was that the regulations and specifications were changing with each piece of legislation enacted in 1792.

All 1792 Birch Cents are extremely rare and when one crosses the auction block it is a very newsworthy and notable event in the numismatic world. Auction prices for these rare and historic coins seem to generate new records with every appearance. With so few examples in existence, there is but a tiny handful of collectors who will ever own a specimen of any type and in any grade.

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