United States of America 1865 Philadelphia Patterns & Trial Coins 1¢

Coin / United States of America / 1865 / Philadelphia / Patterns & Trial Coins / 1¢ (One Cent, Penny)

This coin is a unique example from the 1865 series of Patterns and Trial Coins minted in Philadelphia, United States. It features a denomination of 1 cent (1¢), crafted as a mint strike. The coin is notable for its status within the collection of trial pieces, which are often produced to experiment with new designs, materials, or techniques before a final version is released for circulation. The specific details of this coin indicate that it was designed with an "N/A" designation for the designer, possibly reflecting its trial status where specific artistic attribution was not formally recognized. Additionally, it has a mint mark of "None," which further underscores its place in the trial coin category, as many patterns lack distinguishing marks. The coin has a stated mintage of 0, which usually implies that it was either not released for general circulation or is extremely rare, adding to its collectible value. Furthermore, the dimensions such as width, height, diameter, and weight are recorded as zero, which could suggest that this particular piece may be either a base design layout or a speculative piece that did not reach final production. Given its historical context, this 1865 Pattern Coin represents a fascinating item for numismatists, especially collectors interested in trial pieces, patterns, and the evolution of U.S. coinage during the mid-19th century. Its designation as a coin made from "Other" materials might hint at experimental alloys or metal compositions that were being considered at the time. In summary, this coin from 1865 stands as a significant artifact within the realm of U.S. numismatics, reflecting both the innovations and trials within the minting process of that era.