U. S. Coins

One of Only Three Known 1942 White Metal Pattern Cents

Lot 1202
1942 White Metal Cent. PCGS graded MS-64. Unlisted in Judd, Pollock 2077. Metal composition listed on the holder as 93% Tin, 7% Antimony and the weight is listed as 3.9 grams. Pollock had never seen this pattern, but was aware of it, and assigned a number based on an observation by Walter Breen, who claimed to have seen "a 1942 cent struck on a thick white metal allow planchet (unknown composition)." By 1942, Mint official were well aware they would be facing a shortage of copper because of the war effort. To prepare for that eventuality, they tested a number of different metallic compositions, including zinc-coated steel, copper-zinc alloys, antimony and lead, using regular issue dies and fantasy dies created by John R. Sinnock. Several of the fantasy pieces, bearing a head of Liberty, have appeared on the market, but all of the Patterns made with regular dies were believed to have been destroyed. Happily, some survived. Today, three of these 1942 White Metal Cent Patterns are known -- this example (crossed over from an NGC MS-64); a PCGS MS-65 example; and an NGC graded Proof-65. With the current excitement generated by the off-metal 1943 and 1944 Cents, we fully expect this remarkable coin to set a record price. Color photo.
Estimated Value $30,000-40,000.

Second Finest 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent

Lot 1203
1944 Steel Cent. PCGS graded MS-62. A wonderful follow-up to the raw AU-55 example we offered (and sold for $31,050 against a $15,000 estimate!) in our February 2003 sale. This example is a newcomer to the marketplace and it now ranks as one of only two pieces certified as Mint State by either PCGS or NGC! The finest is an NGC MS-63 (formerly the MS-62 displayed at the 2003 F.U.N/ show in orlando, Florida and subsequently upgraded). PCGS has graded only two examples -- this MS-62 and the above-mentioned AU-55. This example has strong, original luster and brilliance, but both sides have a smattering of small flyspecks, those on the reverse in the pattern of a fingerprint (hold your coins by the edges, please). With the rarity of the 1944 Steel Cents firmly established and the value hinted at by our previous sale, all that is left is the exciting moment when this coin crosses the auction block. Oh, here's an added incentive -- these were once classified as error coins by PCGS, but they are now numbered as part of the Lincoln Cent series and, we suspect (and hope), may one day make it into the PCGS Registry Set. Such an event would create unparalleled demand for this incredible coin. Color photo.
Estimated Value $40,000-50,000.

The Incredibly Rare Pollock-2078 1944 Piefort Cent

Lot 1204
1944 Thick Planchet Cent. P-2078. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. The finest of only two heavy-weight 1944 Cents that have been certified to date: the example offered here (crossed over from an NGC MS-64 RB) and an NGC graded MS-64 Brown. Struck on a thick bronze planchet, known in numismatic jargon as a "piefort." Judd was aware of these pieces and listed them as Experimental Cents in his Pattern book, calling them "matte proofs," and indicating that four examples were known to him in weights of 61.9 grains, 63.8 grains, and 63.9 grains (two of the pieces must have weighed the same). The normal weight of a Cent is 48 grains, so these are extraordinarily heavy. Pollock lists two pieces that appeared in a September 1989 Bowers and Merena sale (Lots 2579 and 2580), with weights of 61.7 and 65.4(!) grains, respectively. Plate-matching indicates that this piece may be a re-appearance of Lot 2579; it is certainly not Lot 2580. Interestingly, the same Bowers sale contained two 1945 Cents on heavy planchets! Fascinating coins that are sure to fan the red-hot market for "all things Lincoln Cent!" Color photo.
Estimated Value $30,000-40,000.

MS-64 RED 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Cent

Lot 1207
1955. Doubled die obverse. NGC graded MS-64 Red. Sharply struck throughout with satiny, pink-brown surfaces. A most impressive piece that is free of the tiny spots and marks that seem to haunt this issue. One could make a case that this is an error coin, as well, because the top of the reverse features a faint line of lamination bubbles through the N and E of ONE. It's always a pleasure to see a nice example of this variety -- now the pleasure of owning one can be all yours. Color photo.
Estimated Value $7,000-7,500.

Rare Double Denomination 11 Cent Coin!

Lot 1208
1985 Mint Error. PCGS graded MS-64 Dbl Denom on Strk 10C. Unusual double denomination, struck on a Roosevelt dime. Most unusual and a mint error that is sure to stir considerable bidder interest among error enthusiasts.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.