The 1941 film "The Devil and Daniel Webster" shows two cents in the form of large cents and a cache of "Hessian gold coins." The film was based on the Stephen Vincent Benet story and stars Walter Huston as Mr. Scratch, Edward Arnold as Daniel Webster, James Craig as Jabez Stone, and Simone Simon as Belle. The story is about an 1840 New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the Devil for wealth, then tries to get out of his contract with the help of Daniel Webster, the famous lawyer. Several types of coins appear in the film. A remark about "selling one's soul to the Devil for two cents" produces two large Canadian cents. The Devil's "Hessian gold" appears as a cache of large copies of ancient Greek and Roman coins.

He picks Jabez Stone, a farmer living in Cross Corners, New Hampshire. Jabez is married to Mary, and Jabez's mother Ma lives with them.

Daniel Webster is a famous lawyer and politician who wants to be President. Here he rejects an offer of campaign assistance.

The farm is in debt to Miser Stevens, a "loan shark" who wants a payment. Jabez thinks Stevens will accept their calf as payment. After a couple of accidents, Jabez is fed up with his troubles and exclaims "That's enough to make a man sell his soul to the devil! And I would for about two cents!"

The "two cents" appear to be Canadian large cents of the time of Queen Victoria. The left coin is a New Brunswick cent from 1861-1864. The right coin is a Canadian cent from 1876-1901.

He wants to take Jabez up on his offer.

Business cards are handy.

He explains that some farmers find gold lost by the Hessians. The Hessians were soldiers of the German prince of Hesse who were hired as mercenaries by the British during the American Revolution.

He points to the ground, which opens up to reveal something.

Jabez is shocked at what he sees.

There is a large pile of old coins on the ground. The idea that the Devil or another spirit can be summoned via magic to locate buried treasure was an old legend in early 19th century America

Mr. Scratch produces the contract for Jabez to sign. The contract is for "money and all that money can buy" for seven years, ending on April 7, 1847. Mr. Scratch inscribes the termination date on a tree.

The coins are copied from ancient Roman "SC" and Greek Alexander the Great coins.

Another look at the goods.

The unholy contract is signed and, yes, in blood.

Jabez tells his wife about his find, but doesn't mention who else was involved.

A closer look at some of the coin props used in the film. They appear to be larger than actual ancient Greek and Roman coins. Some have the head of Alexander the Great on them. The one to the left with "S-C" has a legend of a coin issued by the Roman Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37).

The large coin to the right has the head of a Roman Emperor.

Ma is a wise woman and she suspects that something isn't right.

The family says "Grace", a prayer to God. Jabez's new friend would not like that. The next day, Jabez goes to Miser Stevens' office to pay his debt. He gives Stevens some of the coins, and Stevens' is shocked.

Stevens compares Jabez's coin with one from his box of coins.

He sees that they look similar. The coins are blurred so it is hard to read what is on the reverse of the right coin. The left coin is one of the Alexander the Great copies.

Stevens realizes where Jabez got the gold and who he got it from.

Jabez buys Mary a new bonnet.

Mr. Scratch is seen hanging around the town. Daniel Webster comes to make a political speech, but Mr. Scratch gets him some rum which puts him to sleep, allowing Jabez to give a speech.

Jabez and Mary with their new baby son.

She comes from "over the mountain", no doubt someone sent her.

Ma is really shocked to see this woman taking care of her grandson.

Bad, really bad.

Jabez builds a big new mansion, but Mary and Ma refuse to live in it. Belle becomes his hostess and manages the house and entertainment.

Mary is disgusted with the situation and visits Daniel Webster for help. Webster also knows that Jabez has been lending money to other farmers and has become a "loan shark." Jabez and Belle throw a large party for the local gentry, but do not invite the ordinary people. However almost no one comes, then a group of spirits arrive. Miser Stevens is there, he is worried about the state of his soul as his seven years are up. Belle dances with Stevens and he dies during the dance.

Jabez argues with Mr. Scratch who points out that Jabez is owned.

Stevens' soul as a moth is captured by Mr. Scratch, he says Jabez soul is also small, but he would like to have Daniel Webster's soul, the wingspan would be enormous.

Jabez's seven years are almost up, he asks Mr. Scratch for an extension. Mr. Scratch tells him that he wants Jabez's son and Jabez refuses.

Jabez goes to Daniel Webster and asks for advice and help. Webster says he would fight "10,000 devils" for a New Hampshire man.

The two adversaries prepare for their trial.

John Hathorne was a judge at the infamous Salem Witch Trials, he never repented of his actions.

The trial commences with a jury picked by Mr. Scratch of the "quick and the dead."

The jury includes:

Daniel Webster gives an impassioned argument about American liberty and values, and service to foreign princes, then leaves the case with the judge and jury.

The jury decides in favor of Jabez., surprising Mr. Scratch.

Still doing business.

Walter Huston as Mr. Scratch
Edward Arnold as Daniel Webster
James Craig as Jabez Stone
Anne Shirley as Mary Stone
Jane Darwell as Ma Stone
Simone Simon as Belle
John Qualen as Miser Stevens
H.B. Warner as Justice John Hathorne
Director: William Dieterle
Writers: Dan Totheroh
Based on the 1936 short story "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benet