1863 2C J-316, BN PR(PCGS#60473)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3452

Grade

PR65BN

Price

8,700

Lot Description

<strong>Obv:</strong> The same design that the Mint used to strike regular issue 1864 two-cent pieces of the Large Motto hub type. <strong>Rev:</strong> The same design that the Mint used to strike regular issue two-cent pieces. A boldly toned and handsome specimen, the obverse of which is dressed in a blend of steel-blue and deep tobacco-brown. Lighter shades of similar colors are also evident on the reverse, and both sides reveal brighter champagne-apricot undertones as the coin dips into a light. Fully struck with nicely preserved surfaces at the Gem Proof grade level.<p>While at first glance this type may appear to be an 1863 pattern made to pave the way for regular issue two-cent coinage the following year, Judd-316 is actually a novodel produced circa 1870 for inclusion in special Proof sets alongside the 1863-dated novodel silver coins with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse. As Saul Teichman describes in detail at the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website:<p><em>From its appearance one would think that it is a transitional pattern similar to the 1882 Liberty Nickel J1690-J1692/P1892-P1894 but this is actually a novodel (backdated fantasy) produced circa 1870 as the large motto hub used matches some regular 1870 proofs with the tops of the 2 shield swirls under the word "We" touching the mottos ribbon and the reverse with the missing serif on the 'D' in 'United'. On the 1864 - 1869 and some 1870 large motto proofs examined, the tops of the swirls would complete behind the ribbon...This also explains why no examples appear in any pre-1870 auction catalog.</em><p>Slightly more than a dozen examples of this Judd number are known, which total includes one or two that are permanently impounded in the collection of the Connecticut State Library.