LFEs struck on thick planchets (AKA piedforts) are known to exist. Though never mentioned in any of the Judd book’s first 10 editions or in Pollock, this coin’s existence was confirmed as early as April of 1863, in Bangs, Merwin & Co.’s Woodward sale. Auction lot number 2211 stated, “Flying Eagle Cent, pure copper, on …
Monthly Archives: March 2020
Which is Which?
J-163 (pure copper) or J-164 (French bronze) These two patterns look nearly identical, right? Can you determine which tested out as 100% copper and which tested out as bronze? As a general rule, one cannot eyeball an LFE and accurately determine its composition. In the 1980s, Carmichael and Wilson studied 1854 pattern cents and similarly …