1942 Cent Pattern - P-2077, Experimental White Metal

Coin Details

Auction Record

$24,675 MS64 09-29-2016 Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Description

Pollock-2077 is an experimental white metal cent pattern from the 1942 wartime testing program, cataloged in the Pollock numbering system rather than the standard Judd sequence. The Pollock-only designation indicates that this variety was identified or reclassified separately from the main Judd catalog, representing a distinct alloy composition within the broader white metal category. White metal encompasses a range of tin-lead alloys with varying proportions, and this experimental version may test a specific formulation different from the standard white metal used for J-2056. The "experimental" qualifier indicates this particular alloy was being evaluated for properties that might address the shortcomings of conventional white metal for coinage — improved hardness, reduced lead content for health safety, or better resistance to tarnishing and surface degradation. The existence of multiple white metal variants in the 1942 program demonstrates that even within individual material categories, the Mint conducted detailed compositional analysis.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare. Pollock-only catalog entries are typically rarer and less well-documented than their Judd counterparts.

Cross References

Pollock P-2077; 1942 wartime cent composition testing program; experimental white metal variant; cf. J-2056 (standard white metal)