I need information on the following item: US Mint pattern coin J-201: no date flying eagle cent: dies 2-A. I recently acquired this coin and would like to know the value if anyone has that information. This was given to me by my grandfather's estate. I have checked all over on the internet and can't find a single thing! Thank you, Dave
You just gotta know where to look CLICK HERE But the J-201 is unique - only 1 example. I'm afraid you must have an altered coin
Hi, Let's make a point here. It is only unique until another one turns up This very well might be an altered coin. It probably is. I would still get this one looked at by a pro. It wouldn't be the first time that something unique lost that status by the discovery of a second, third or tenth piece. Have Fun, Bill
I will make no claim as to knowledge of authenticity of this piece, but I can tell you it is not J201/P210. That id pattern, which Pollock rates as rarity 8 (2-3 known) in his 1994 book, does indeed use reverse die A, but the photos posted by the OP are of the B reverse die. The A (and C) reverse die has an open "E" in "ONE", while "B" and "D" reverse dies have a closed "E". The tip of the leaf closest to the "C" is well above the base of the "C" for the B reverse die, and about even with the base of the "C" for the D reverse die. Reverse B was used with three minutely different obverses. All have a plain edge. P212 - copper-nickel (12% nickel, 88% copper) Davis-88, AW-206, Judd-180, Taxay-EP204, Breen-1924. Scarce. P213 - copper and bronze. rarity 7 (4-12 known) AW-205, Judd-181 & 182, Taxay-EP205 & 206, (not in Davis). Walter Breen reports seeing an example at the 1966 ANA Convention. P214 - Nickel alloy, (presumably 25% nickel and 75% copper) rarity 7. AW-204, Judd-183, Taxay-EP207, (not in Davis), Walter Breen reports "three of four seen in experimental nickel alloy, silvery color." Auction price realized (also includes values for variety 217) - 1991 - $4180; 1985 - $1870. Just for a comparison, here are auction prices for P211, which used the A reverse die. 1992 - $5060; 1990 - $17050, $4840, $4400; 1988 - $5280; 1984 - $2200. GDJMSP - there is disagreement between the site you provided a link to and Pollock's book on patterns. Pollock indicates the J201/P210 is rarity 8, not unique as on the website. Also, Pollock indicates J201/P210 should have the date 1856 below the eagle. After having typed all of the above (and it may have some relevance, so I will leave it), I now have looked at the types preceding P210 instead of just the ones following. It appears that your website pics, as well as the OP's item, should have been referring to J219/P209. That is the only one that matches the design features of being dateless, closed "E" in "ONE", and high leaf by the "C". P209 - copper-nickel, plain edge, unique (?). AW-251, Judd-219, (not listed in Davis). Dr. Judd included this variety amongst the 1858 issues.
A bit of info on mintage figures for this related group of 4 reverse dies and 5 obverse dies (8 different die combos) - 200 copper nickel cents were sent by the mint to S.D. Campbell of the House of Representatives, another 100 were sent to the Secretary of the Treasury James Guthrie. Mintage records indicate that more than 600 were produced. Current estimates are that between 1500 and 2000 specimens were minted. It is also thought that many Proof examples were struck after 1856 for coin collectors.
Thanks for all the responses...I am still waiting to hear back from ANACS...in your opinion cwtokenman...what variety would this piece be considered? The only information from my grandfather's log...as he kept with alot of his pieces...was J-201 die 2-A purchased in Ohio in 1960. If you could give me your opinion that would be great. Thanks, Dave
Boy Howdy cwt !! Now I know why I don't collect patterns as a general rule - or coins by die marriages. That takes too much thinkin
Supadave, I must have inadvertently thrown you off with too much unnecessary info, sorry, lol. It all boils down to the bottom of my 9:15 post, the only id matching the mentioned features as are shown in your pics is the P209. That is assuming Pollock's book is correct, which I believe it to be. GDJMSP, I don't have any patterns, but I do find them interesting. Since they were not regular coinage, in my mind they fit well with exonumia, just not too well with my wallet. Civil War tokens are all about die marriages, and they don't give me any trouble at all. I can id many cwts from memory, but boy, trying to id which dies were used on some transportation tokens, even with the book, photos, and what to look for, I find to be a great challenge.
It came back... Hello...this piece finally came back from ANACS today with the following: graded VF-20 Details Pattern (P-209?) 1C Damaged Obverse So...now that I know it is geniune...any ideas on the value for this piece? Thanks, Dave
Tell ya what - why don't you send an email to andyl@eurekatrading.com and ask. Andy is a pretty good guy - and if he can't answer the questions, he'll find somebody who can. But ask him one for me while you're asking. You see I'm confused. Andy has the J219/P209 listed on his site as - CLICK HERE - and that's just not your coin So either Andy has the wrong pic linked - or ANACS made an ooooops
Both the photos at http://store1.yimg.com/I/uspatterns_1789_2338892 and the one posted the same look the same to my eyes as per the "ONE" being closed. Maybe both photo's are fakes or a different coin. Ruben
