1942 Cent Pattern - J-2061, Grey

Coin Details

Description

Judd-2061, Pollock-2251, is a grey composition cent pattern from the 1942 wartime testing program. The grey material — a composite or processed non-metallic compound — continued the series of non-traditional composition experiments that made the 1942 program unique in Mint history. The grey color placed this pattern in visual territory between the silvery zinc-coated steel and the darker lead and manganese alternatives, raising the same concern that plagued many of the experimental compositions: potential confusion with the dime. The grey pattern tested whether a neutral-toned, non-metallic material could produce an acceptable cent when the warm copper and brown tones of traditional compositions were abandoned. Like the other non-metallic experiments, the grey composition ultimately failed to meet the practical requirements of circulating coinage, but it contributed to the comprehensive body of evidence the Mint assembled to support its final recommendation of zinc-coated steel.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Extremely rare. Grey composition patterns are among the least documented of the 1942 experimental series.

Cross References

Judd J-2061, Pollock P-2251; 1942 wartime cent composition testing program; grey non-metallic composition