1896 Proof Cent Pattern - J-1767a

Coin Details

Auction Record

$13,200 PR66 02-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-1767a is a proof pattern cent struck in pure nickel with a plain edge, a compositional variant of J-1767 produced during the 1896 alloy testing program. The obverse and reverse dies are identical to J-1767, featuring Barber's shield design with LIBERTY scroll, crossed poles behind topped by a Phrygian cap and eagle, E PLURIBUS UNUM above, the date 1896 below, and ONE CENT within an olive sprig on the reverse. The "a" suffix in the Judd catalog typically indicates either a die variety or an alternative metallic composition sharing the same basic design. In the context of the 1896 alloy tests, where fifteen distinct compositions were evaluated with ten pieces from each, the suffix variants represent different formulations tested under identical conditions. The pure nickel used for J-1767a would have produced a coin with brilliant white surfaces and excellent corrosion resistance, though the metal's hardness created challenges for die life and design detail. Nickel had been used in American coinage since the introduction of the three-cent nickel in 1865 and the five-cent Shield Nickel in 1866, always as an alloy with copper. Testing pure nickel for cent-sized coins explored whether eliminating copper from the alloy might improve certain performance characteristics at the cost of increased die wear.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Fewer than 10 examples exist. Scarce even among 1896 pattern cent variants.

Cross References

Judd J-1767a, Pollock P-1983a