1982 Cent Pattern - J-2180, Martha Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$949 genuine 03-22-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

A pattern cent featuring a portrait of Martha Washington, struck in 1982 during a period of renewed interest in alternative coin designs and compositions. The 1982 cent underwent its most significant composition change since the wartime experiments — transitioning from 95% copper bronze to copper-plated zinc — and the Mint used this transition as an occasion to test alternative design concepts as well. The Martha Washington cent places the nation's first First Lady on the one-cent denomination, continuing a thread of Martha Washington design studies that extends back to the 1965 dime pattern (J-2101) and forward to the 1985 nickel pattern (J-2182) and 1999 dollar pattern (J-2185). The portrait draws on the familiar Gilbert Stuart image of Martha Washington, adapted for the diminutive cent format. While the design was never adopted for production — Abraham Lincoln's portrait has appeared on the cent continuously since 1909 and remains there today — these Martha Washington patterns document a recurring Mint interest in honoring America's first First Lady on circulating coinage, an ambition that would not be realized until the First Spouse gold bullion program began in 2007.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Martha Washington cent patterns are rare and highly collectible, combining design novelty with the historical significance of the 1982 composition transition.

Cross References

Judd J-2180, Pollock P-2086. Part of the Martha Washington pattern series spanning 1965-1999.