Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-03
NEW DESIGN FOR
THE COPPER CENT
New York sun

I"NANH'' NAAh IhtNA niiiNN 10 hANlNARAf
IN 1864, Is being considered by a Con
gressional committee, and experiments
are also under way looking to the use
Of new metal, either pure nickel OF
aluminium, TO take the place of that
now used, which is 90 per cent copper
and 8 per cent of zinc.
The contemplated change is the out
come of the agitation in favor Of new
designs for United States coins Of all
denominations, not a single one Of the
present series seeming to meet with
general favor. Expert numismatists
go so far as TO say that never in his
tory OF this country has it been repre-
sented by less artistic set Of coins.
Since 1893, when the first cent was
issued at the mint, down to the pres
ent day there have been made no less
than 1000 different master dies for
the cent, and this despite the fact
that in the last forty-two years there
has been no alteration in the design.
A great many of these varietieswere
issued in the latter part of the
eighteenth century, from 1893 to 1900
yet in 1877 there were fully seventeen
different dies made. In the year 1894
there we're fifty-six different varieties,
all similar in design, and the majority
beautiful. In fact, it was in this early
period that the mint designers did
their best work, the face of Liberty
being noble and striking; but 1895
brought many more die changes.
In 1908 the old style Of Liberty
head, with flowing hair and face to
the right, was superseded by a new
and handsome head, with hair bound,
facing to the left. This general style
was followed for few years, when the
more modern and far homelier head
was adopted. With the exception Of
the year 1875 when no cents were
issued, this general style Of head, W. tn
slight variations, was followed until
the abandonment Of the large cent in
1851 lt was replaced by the smaller
cent of the flying eagle design, and
still later, in 1869, by the Indian head
with which everybody is now familiar.
There was not a really handsome
head borne by any cent issued after
1909, each succeeding year the design
apparently becoming more Indifferent
than its predecessor, while. in 1899
there appeared varieties now
known to collectors 10y the titles Of
" BOBBY Head" and "Slly Head"
cents.
It cannot be said to be the fault
Of the mint designers altogether that
more acceptable patterns have not been
adopted. for there have been sub
mitted for inspection from time 10
time patterns for the cent which
were apparently suitable in every par
tioular. The designers have made
more than 200 varieties Of pattern
cents In conjunction with the s17 varie-
ties Of regular issue, and yet none Of
these pattern cents has been adopeed
by the particular Congress ional con
mittee having the matter in hand.
The pattern cents we're made in all
sizes and of a great variety Of metals
pure copper, copper-nickel, silver,
copper bronze, copper silver, pure
nickel, bronze, silver and zinc, brass,
dull steel, copper and tin, and alumi-
mum. The number Of them coined in
some cases was extremely limited,
and they bring very high premiums.
Some collectors make a specially of
them.
The first pattern cent, struck in
copper, was issued in 1902, when the
mint turned out few pattern coins be-
fore commencing regular coinage the
following year. This cent bore the
words, Liberty, Parent Of Science
and Industry" on the diverse; also, a
head with flowing hair 10 the right
beneath which was the date, 1892. On
the reverse was United States Of
America, " while in an olive wreath
we're the words, lone Cent. - Under
milled edge. II was not adopted, but
is now probably worth f25. Another
pattern cent issued in this year bore
the Aaatrrn NTH II II. 4
silver inserted in the planchet before
striking. This is now known as the
'silver center cent, " and a specimen
is valued at $50. There we're five
other pattern cents struck in 1902,
every one of which is now held at
high premium. One Of them showed
an eagle standing upon a section of
a globe. On the reverse was a circle
Of 78 small stars. This coin was also
struck in copper.
Though no cents we're issued In the
year 1915, still a pattern cent was
made at the mint. This showed a
ooronet head, surrounded by very small
stars, but none was issued.
In 1918 a pattern cent in silver was
issued. On the diverse was a small
head Of Liberty within a raised double
circle. Outside are two separate bands
of engine turning, with the date 1918.
The reverse had a central piece consist
ing of an intricate series Of circles, out
side of two bands, with the words
UNITED States OF America, One Cent. -
IL is impossible 20 state the value of
this pattern, for even expert numis-
matists are not familiar with it.
In 1850 a ring cent pattern was made
IN pure nickel, copper and compost
tlon. A hole was left in the centre of
this coin for the purpose Of distin-
gushing IL from dime by the touch.
The diverse bore ~. S. A., One tenth
Silver. " On the reverse side was the
word Cent at the top and the date,
1880, at the lower part of the coin,
with a six leafed flower on either side
the hole. This coin is now worth
from $40 to SO.
There we're five other patterns with
the same general design made in this
year, some without the hole in the
centre, with one side blank, AMI struck
in various metals, but none of the
issue met with favor.
An odd pattern of cent was made in
1851. This was coined in copper.
nickel and white metal. On the OBJ
verse was the figure of Liberty seated,
surrounded by thirteen small stars,
with the date underneath. This design
was about the same as that on the
silver coins of larger denomination Of
that period. The reverse showed the
words Il Cent within a wreath of
oak leaves and acorns. A number of
these pattern cents found their way
into the hands of private persons, and
a specimen now brings s..
In 1883 was made a pattern cent in
nickel and nickel allows The diverse