1942 Cent Pattern - J-2080, Lincoln Zinc Coated Steel

Coin Details

Description

Judd-2080, Pollock-2270, is the zinc-coated steel cent pattern struck with standard Lincoln cent dies — the exact prototype for the composition that was adopted for the 1943 steel cent. This pattern represents the culmination of the entire 1942 testing program, the moment when the winning composition was tested in its final intended form: Lincoln portrait obverse, wheat-ears reverse, zinc-coated steel planchet. Unlike J-2054 (which used experimental dies), J-2080 confirmed that standard production Lincoln cent dies could successfully strike the zinc-coated steel planchet without damage or excessive wear. The success of this specific test pattern cleared the way for the massive 1943 steel cent production run that would see over 1.09 billion coins struck across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Of all the patterns in the 1942 testing program, J-2080 is the single piece most directly connected to the adopted coin, making it the keystone of the wartime cent pattern series.

Rarity Notes

R-5 to R-6. Rare. As the direct prototype for the adopted 1943 composition, this pattern carries exceptional historical significance.

Cross References

Judd J-2080, Pollock P-2270; 1942 wartime cent composition testing program; ADOPTED composition; Lincoln cent production dies; cf. J-2054 (earlier zinc-coated steel pattern)