1885 Proof Cent Pattern - J-1740a

Coin Details

Description

Judd-1740a shares the same annular (ring-shaped) die pair as J-1740 but is distinguished by its composition. Where J-1740 was struck in copper-nickel, J-1740a is struck in aluminum with a plain edge, placing it within the broader 1885 aluminum pattern set assembled under Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The obverse features UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1885 arranged around a central hole with denticles and thirteen stars, while the reverse displays FIVE CENTS beneath the national shield flanked by laurel branches — the same curious denomination mismatch found on the copper-nickel parent variety. The aluminum composition gives this piece a noticeably lighter weight and distinctive silvery-white appearance compared to the copper-nickel J-1740. As with other aluminum patterns of this era, J-1740a was almost certainly struck specifically for the collector market rather than for any practical purpose. The annular cent concept, while repeatedly tested across multiple decades, never gained sufficient traction to displace the conventional solid planchet design. This aluminum variant is considerably rarer than its copper-nickel counterpart, with very few examples known to survive.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Extremely rare, with fewer than 5 specimens exist in aluminum.

Cross References

Judd J-1740a, Pollock P-1951