Heritage to Auction Three Important and Rare Martha Washington Test Pieces in November

Dallas, TX - Heritage Numismatic Auctions will offer three different Martha Washington test pieces, including the Judd plate coins for the 1982 cent J-2180 and the 1965 quarter J-2116, at its Signature auction November at the Warwick Hotel in New York City, November 7-10.



Extremely Rare and Desirable 1982 (1759 dated) Martha Washington Cent-Sized Pattern--The Plate Coin in The New Judd Reference, and Arguably the Most Collectible Denomination of All the Martha Washington Test Pieces.

1982 (1759 dated) Martha Washington Cent-Sized Medalet, Judd-2180, Pollock-4100, R.8, MS66 Red and Brown NGC. 2.5 grams. Struck from the so-called "nonsense dies" that depicts the bust facing right of Martha Washington on the obverse. The reverse shows a view of Mount Vernon. Called "nonsense dies" by the Mint as they lack any mention of a denomination. Struck in copper plated zinc. This is the plate coin in the new Judd book, which gives the following information about this piece: "In 1982, the Martha Washington fantasy design used in 1965 was employed to test a new composition for the cent coinage before there was a change from bronze to copper-coated zinc. Seemingly, these dies were used within the Mint and also by private entities to test various concepts. These have been tentatively attributed to 1982 but may have been made at other times as well." The always-useful and informative USPatterns.com website has even more information on this piece: "A cent struck using the Mint's Martha Washington dies has been reported and purchased by Michael Byers, USPatterns.com member #88. It was purchased along with an example of J2101/P2082...This design was first used in 1965. The obverse was designed by Edward R. Grove and the reverse is by Philip Fowler. This design has since become the Mint's all-purpose dies for testing new alloys. It is likely that this piece was struck outside the Mint from one of the vendors the Mint gave these dies to. Among the possibilities include IDX Inc, PMX Industries and the Olin Brass Corporation. Because of this, we have assigned it number P4100. The reason for their striking may have been to test the new copper coated zinc planchets for the Mint. If this is the case, then this was probably struck around 1982. An obverse die trial in copper struck from either cent or dime dies is also known." This particular coin has lovely red surfaces that show just a bit of mellowed brown patina on each side. There are several raised die scratches that were struck into the coin itself, but there are no obvious pedigree identifiers on either side of this important piece.



Extremely Rare 1965 (1759 dated) Martha Washington Quarter-Sized Pattern--The Plate Coin in The New Judd Reference

1965 (1759 dated) Martha Washington Quarter-Sized Medalet, Judd-2116, Low R.7, MS65 NGC. 5.7 grams. The obverse has a portrait of Martha Washington facing right, while the reverse shows a view of Mount Vernon. Struck in cupronickel-copper (multi-layer composite). Struck from the so-called "nonsense dies" as the legends lack any mention of a denomination. The new Judd text (page 290) states that "although various metals were used, only cupro-nickel clad is confirmed to exist." The USPatterns.com website has even more to say about this particular pattern: "It is believed to be the first metallurgical trials using the current cupro-nickel clad planchets. The Martha Washington obverse was designed by Edward R. Grove and the reverse is by Philip Fowler. There are 6 examples in the Smithsonian embedded in two blocks of blue lucite along with J2101/P2081 and J2134/P2083...An example was recently reported and purchased by Michael Byers, member #88. So far, it is the only one reported outside of the Smithsonian." This particular coin is the plate coin used in the new Judd book, as evidenced by a couple of tiny abrasions on the reverse, and it is also the piece photographed on the USPatterns.com website. Mostly brilliant, there is just the slightest hint of golden patina on the obverse. A very rare opportunity to acquire this legitimate test striking from 1965.



Extremely Rare 1999 (1759 Dated) Martha Washington Dollar-Sized Medalet Struck on a Manganese Brass Planchet

1999 (1759 dated) Martha Washington Dollar-Sized Medalet, Judd-2185, R.8, MS66 NGC. 8.0 grams. The obverse has a portrait of Martha Washington facing right, and the reverse shows an angular view of Mount Vernon. Struck in manganese brass over a pure copper core. Produced from the so-called "nonsense dies" that were first used in 1965, these dies lack any mention of a denomination. This piece was presumably struck to test the concept of the Sacagawea "golden" dollar that went into production in 2000. "These dies are believed to have been used inside the Mint as well as outside," according to the text on page 294 of the new Judd book. According to the USPatterns.com website, "As part of the testing of this year, these dies, the U.S. Mint's all-purpose design, were given to outside contractors including IDX Inc, PMX Industries and Olin Brass Corporation. The illustrated piece [on their website] was brought over to the Smithsonian where it was photographed but, regrettably, was not left there. Only a few specimens have since come to light including the example in the American Numismatic Rarities December 2003 sale." This is a bright, "golden" coin that shows no spotting or mellowing of the original golden-olive coloration. Virtually unabraded as well.

Catalogs for this sale are available for $50 from Heritage, c/o Sonia Magdaleno 800.872.6467 ext 275, 100 Highland Park Village, Second Floor, Dallas, TX 75205. All of the lots are displayed in full color on the Heritage web site at www.HeritageCoin.com.