Owner Comments:
1868 1C
Judd-610, Pollock-675, Snow-PT4b
Rarity: Low R.7; PR65 CAC Endorsed
Ex: Simpson.
Struck in nickel with a plain edge
Description: This is the so-called 1868 large cent. These pieces were struck with the obverse and reverse design used to produce regular issue 1843-1857 large cents.
Comment:
Seven examples are known in nickel and about a dozen or so are known in copper. The hardness of the nickel alloy is evident on this piece. The date area is noticeably incomplete, and slight softness occurs on the wreath. Bright and satiny, the surfaces are mostly untoned and show a fine speckling of carbon over each side.
It is not known for sure why the 1868 large cent were struck but it has been speculated that it probably were made as numismatic delicacies in an time frame that the Philadelphia Mint was producing many different die combinations and off-metal strikings. In this time frame some of the products from this effort were made available to numismatists but a far larger number were filtered through favored mint officials and insiders, who marketed them to the likes of Mr. John W. Haseltine (a Philadelphia dealer who) or Mr. W. Elliot Woodward (Roxbury, MA, dealer of high renown and expertise)
Pollock made a note on Q.David Bowers writings
"They were probably struck for collectors in the genre of the 1913 Nickel Liberty Head Nickel, 1884 and 1885 trade dollars and Clasee II and III 1804 dollars" Wow - if Ken Bressett, editor of the Guide Book, ever listed this piece as they published those just mentioned what a home run I would have. Oh well. .
Provenance:
Ex Bob Simpson, Heritage April 2021 Central States / Lot #4212., prior Heritage FUN Signature, 1/2004 / lot 8440