2468

1836 P2C Two Cents, Judd-52, Pollock-55, Low R.6, PR65

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1836 P2C Two Cents, Judd-52, Pollock-55, Low R.6, PR65
<B>1836 P2C Two Cents, Judd-52, Pollock-55, Low R.6, PR65 NGC.</B></I> Two-cent pattern with a spread-winged eagle on the obverse, date below. The reverse is simply inscribed TWO CENTS with a laurel wreath around the perimeter. Struck in billon (90% copper, 10% silver) with a plain edge. An experimental alloy as well as being a pattern for a new denomination, these pieces put to rest the issue of billon coinage until revived in 1850 and '51.<BR> NGC has certified this coin as MS. However, there is nothing in any of the literature on patterns to suggest that business strikes were made of this issue. Nothing in the new Judd book, nothing in Pollock, nothing on the USPatterns.com website. Some cent patterns from the 1850s were indeed struck using a business strike finish, but these are well known and quite common by pattern standards. Examination of this coin leads us to conclude that it is indeed a proof striking that has been misattributed by NGC. There is slight, but definite reflectivity in the fields. The striking details are not the best, granted. The bottom of the obverse and bottom of the reverse are both weakly struck while the remainder of the coin is strongly impressed. This indicates to us that the dies were misaligned. Both of these factors lead us to conclude this is a sloppily made proof striking rather than a new entity in the world of pattern collecting.<BR> The reddish-tan surfaces are bright with significant underlying mint luster and an overlay of medium density gray patina on each side.