At the upcoming Jersey Shore Coin Show and Exhibit Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Laurelton Firehouse, Route 88, Brick, a display of United States Cents will depict cents of every year minted since inception of the U.S. Mint in 1793.
The display, which took a number of years to complete, includes the large cents that were struck by the U.S. Mint from 1793-1857, and the small cents that began in 1856 up through the current cent of this year. The collection of small cents begins with the Flying Eagle type from 1856-59, the Indian cents, struck from 1859-1909, and the Lincoln cents from 1909 to date, including the 1943 "steelie" cent struck during World War II.
The "steelie" cent composition was changed to a steel, coated with zinc, thereby freeing copper for use in building war materials.
On display is the year-by-year collection that began at the time when George Washington, whose term of office was from 1789-93, served as the nation’s first president. He was at the striking of the first cent in 1793, and a painting will also be shown of Washington inspecting the first coins. The painting, a reproduction of John Ward Dunsmore’s original painting in 1914, is more than 70 years old as it was obtained in the mid-1930s.
Along with 25 dealers who will buy, sell and/or trade coins, paper money, tokens or medals, there will be numerous other exhibits. A free coin auction for juniors will take place at 1 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information call (732) 255-6911.