1837 Large Cent Alteration into a Whore House Token

1837 LC Whore House Token

This type of alteration of a large U.S. cent was common in the early 1800s in America. It was done with a "graver" - a tool used in carving designs in printing plates. The metal was moved around on the coin's surface by the tool to alter the "E" in "CENT" into a "U" - thus making a Large Cent into a so-called "Whore House Token". These large cents are often seen at shows and are sold as a novelty.