1818 Cent Pattern - Perkins, J-C1818-1

Coin Details

Description

The 1818 Perkins Private Pattern cent, cataloged as Judd-C1818-1, is an experimental coin produced by Jacob Perkins, the prolific Massachusetts-born inventor and engraver who pioneered steel die technology for both coinage and banknote printing. Perkins had developed a process for hardening steel dies, which he promoted for its durability and as a protection against counterfeiting. This one-cent pattern was part of Perkins's campaign to demonstrate the advantages of his steel-die engraving system to government authorities. The piece showcases the fine detail and crisp lettering that steel dies could produce, qualities that Perkins argued would make counterfeiting far more difficult. His proposals to the Mint were ultimately not adopted for regular coinage, though his steel-die technology proved transformative in the banknote printing industry, where it was widely adopted through the firm of Perkins, Fairman & Heath (later renamed Perkins Bacon). Perkins relocated to England in 1819, where he found greater success selling his steel-engraving technology to the Bank of England for use on British banknotes. About half a dozen are known, at least three of them electrotypes and two or more die struck, one of those a piedfort.

Rarity Notes

about a half dozen known, several electrotypes (USPatterns.com)

Cross References

Judd-C1818-1; Pollock-5065