The New Hampshire Female Cent Institution and Home Missionary Union was chartered under that name on March 4, 1891. Earlier known under various names including the New Hampshire Female Cent Institution, the Female Cent Society, and the Female Cent Society with various town names as prefixes. It is thought to have been established in 1804 and had its first full year of operation in 1805, when receipts totaled $5. There were Female Cent Societies in other states, possibly dating back to circa 1800.

The name was based on female churchgoers, mostly Protestant, donating one cent per week to missionaries who spread the word within the United States.

I wonder if the cut of the 1804 cent can be attributed to some book? I would guess that the cut is from some publication-not made by the Society-and it could be tracked down.

Harry Salyards writes: