1865 Proof Cent Pattern - J-406a

Coin Details

Auction Record

$20,125 PR66 06-01-2008 Bowers & Merena

Description

Judd-406a is a variant of the J-406 cent pattern distinguished by its composition, struck in a nickel-silver (also called German silver) alloy rather than the pure nickel of J-406. Nickel-silver is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy that takes on a silvery appearance without containing any actual silver, and it was one of several alloys under consideration at the Philadelphia Mint for minor coinage during the 1860s. The piece uses the same regular 1865 Indian Head cent dies as the other J-406 variants. Some catalogers have questioned whether J-406 and J-406a represent genuinely different alloys or whether the distinction arises from variations in the same nickel-based planchets. The subtle difference in surface appearance between pure nickel and nickel-silver can be difficult to discern without metallurgical analysis, contributing to classification challenges.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Fewer specimens than J-406. Some cataloging uncertainty exists regarding the distinction between J-406 and J-406a compositions.

Cross References

Judd-406a; related to Judd-406 (Pollock-475)