1982 (1759 dated) MS Martha Washington Cent-Sized Medalet, ...

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1982 Martha Washington Cent-Sized Medalet, Judd-2180--The Plate Coin in the New Judd Book

1982 (1759 dated) MS 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. (#62401)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 62401)

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