1812
This year, Congress declares war on England. The Americans lose Detroit, but the U.S. frigate Constitution defeated the British ship Guerriere off Nova Scotia and sank the British frigate Java off the coast of Brazil. These actions earn the ship the nickname "Old Ironsides." James Thatcher, a Massachusetts physician, published a book about rabies this year William Monroe of Concord, Massachusetts stats producing lead pencils.
Elsewhere, Napoleon invades Russia and occupies Moscow. The city is burned, however, and Napoleon has to retreat during the Russian winter. His army is decimated. The French also lose several battles in Spain. German authors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm publish Grimm's Fairy Tales and an earthquake kills 20,000 people near Caracas, Venezuela.
A delivery of copper planchets from Boulton in England arrived at the mint in late April or early May. Coining of cents commenced on May 9. A total of 1,075,500 cents were delivered to the Treasurer from the mint this year. It is probable that all were dated 1812. There are four different varieties of cent (S-288 through S-291) known for this year. No half cents were struck or delivered this year. The next time the mint would strike a half cent would be in 1825.
The nicest coins for this year are S-288 (3) and S-290 (5).