Three-cent bronze

Three-cent bronze
Value: 0.03 U.S. dollar
Mass: 10.89 g
Diameter: 28.57 mm
Thickness: Varies
Edge: plain[1]
Composition:
  • 95 % copper
  • 5 % tin and zinc
Catalog number: Judd-319, Pollock 384

The three-cent bronze was a pattern coin struck in 1863 by George Eckfeldt.[2] The coin shares its obverse design (other than the font of the date, which is smaller and curved) thickness, and diameter with that of the Large cent, but was made of bronze rather than pure copper. Weighing 140 grains, it weighted nearly three times that of the bronze Indian Head cent.[3] About 50 to 60 examples are known.[2]

History

Throughout 1863, the coins were struck on planchets of varying thickness. According to Eckfeldt's journal:

Struck a few 3 cent pieces of copper & zinc; the size, thickness and diameter about that of the 1857 copper cent. About the middle of 1863.[2]

Other versions

An aluminum version (Judd-320, Pollock-385) was made using a very similar design. However, examples are extremely rare with only 5 confirmed.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Braided Hair Three Cents Patterns". Coin Auction Help. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "J319/P384". US Patterns. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "1863 3C Three Cents, Judd-319 Original, Pollock-384, R.5, PR65 : Lot #3937". Heritage Auctions. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
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