1792 Cent Pattern - J-6, Birch Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$90,000 • 03-1981 • Bowers and Ruddy (Garrett Collection)

Description

The Judd-6 Birch Cent is the unique white metal striking among the Birch cent varieties, making it one of the rarest of all 1792 pattern coins. While it shares the same obverse as the other Birch cents — a right-facing bust of Liberty with "BIRCH" on the neck truncation and the motto "LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY" — the reverse is artistically distinct. Instead of the fraction "1/100" found on the other Birch cent reverses, the J-6 bears the inscription "G.W. PT." (an abbreviation for "George Washington, President"), making it the only 1792 pattern cent to reference the sitting president by initials. This politically significant inscription ties the coin directly to the Washington administration's involvement in establishing the U.S. Mint. The coin was part of the famous Garrett Collection at Johns Hopkins University and was offered in the landmark March 1981 Garrett Collection sale.

Rarity Notes

Unique. Only 1 example is known to exist.

Cross References

Pollock-7