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Somerville Set - 1 and 2 cent Patterns & Related

Category:  Pattern Coins
Owner:  RichH
Last Modified:  12/1/2012
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Slot: 1837 1C Feuchtwanger Token
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: HARD TIMES TOKENS - RULAU
Item Description: 1C 1837 NEW YORK HT-268(6I) FEUCHTWANGERS COMPOSITION FEUCHTWANGER COMPOSITION
Grade: NGC MS 63
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Obverse design of aggressive eagle with snake captured by claws, Reverse design of ONE CENT in middle surrounded by wreath leaves with "FEUCHTWANGER'S COMPOSITION" around rim.

Coin description: Lovely surfaces on well stuck Feuchwanger token.

Background: In 1837 Dr Feuctwanger petitioned Congress for the use of his alloy on minor coinage. Known as German silver the metal consisted of nickel, copper and some zinc.The good Doctor struck tokens in 1 and 3 cent versions. The Mint rejected his proposal on the grounds it could not be uniformly produced to meet demand. It is amazing that this small cent trial was rejected by Congress 19 years before the introduction of Longacre's small cent 1856 Flying Eagle. As a footnote, after repeated lobbying Feuctwanger gave up his attempt to have the coin authorized, and finally mass produced his tokens and passed them to the public for a profit.
Slot: 1855 J-168
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: PATTERNS & TRIAL COINS 1792-1863
Item Description: 1C 1855 J-168
Grade: NGC PF 62 Brown
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Obverse design : Large Eagle in flight, with 13 stars. Reverse design: Thick wreath

Coin description: Even brown glossy surfaces. Purchased from Heritage Sale , Pittsburgh 2004 August ANA.

Rarity: R4 (76 to 200 extant) Cross Reference: Pollack 193.

Coin notes: This pattern is a slightly downsized version of the Large Cents that were in production at the time. Various alloy compostions were tried including copper and bronze.
Slot: 1858 J-204
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: PATTERNS & TRIAL COINS 1792-1863
Item Description: 1C 1858 J-204
Grade: PCGS PF 63
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Obverse design: Small Flying Eagle Reverse: Oak Wreath with Ornamental Shield

Coin description: Even, lustrous surfaces

Rarity 5 ( 31 - 75 extant) , cross reference Pollack 248,

Coin notes: Rick Snow described the small eagle as a " quail in the throes of death" in his Flying Eagle and Indian Cents masterpiece. The design was rejected due to striking issues with the "large eagle" obverse design ultimately accepted.
Slot: 1863 J-312
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: PATTERNS & TRIAL COINS 1792-1863
Item Description: 2C 1863 J-312
Grade: PCGS PF 64 Red Brown
Research: View Coin
Owner Comments
Purchased from Goldberg Sept 2011 L Beach Auction R4 (76 to 200 extant), cross reference: Pollock 377, pop 20, 14 higher.

Historically significant pattern with "GOD OUR TRUST" on the obverse, this pattern is the predecessor to the regular issue 1864 2 cent piece, the 1st US coin with the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto. With the anquish that the country was experiencing during the Civil War, the religous faith that inspired this pattern's motto is quite understandable.

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