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I fell in love with the Chain cent as soon as I knew it existed. I'd just started collecting and did not know what the first cents looked like, or even that they were large cents.
Today is Lucky penny day. Many collectors out there love their "pennies," or cents. So many began with pulling Lincoln cents out of change, looking for a 1909-S VDB, a 1914-D, or a double die. Back in the day, I heard of Indian cents turning up in change in the early 1960s. And don't forget the Flying Eagles or the large coppers.
During a visit to my favorite coin shop, I spotted a Chain cent. Not spectacular Mint State, mind you. This old copper coin was well worn and a bit scruffed up. The edges were not perfect and the color was that tone you see on older coins that have been out in the world. The grade was Fine and that may have been generous.
Nothing like a ready-made collection. A few years ago, I visited one of my favorite dealers at the World's fair of Money. He proudly displayed a set of large cents that he had assembled from stock. Each year from 1793-1857 was represented, except 1799. The 1793 coin was the Wreath cent. Condition was very good for most coins, with earlier dates showing much wear but still nice. Nothing excessively worn or spotted.
During the weekend when people are dyeing eggs all sorts of lovely colors, I'm thinking of the many colorful coins to be seen.
The cents of 1793 are among the most desirable in the American series. All struck at Philadelphia in copper, the first cents appear on most collectors' want lists.
If I had another collecting life, I would spend it collecting large cents.