Director Patterson's wife on the half cent, 1840?

[RWB]

While reading a copy of Alexandre Vattemare's Collection de Monnais et Médailles de l’Amérique du Nord de 1652 a 1858 I came across this curious statement on page 62 referring to the 1840 half cent:

 

"Effigie de Mme Patterson. Meme type jusqu'au dernier."

(Effigy of Mrs. Patterson. Same type as previous.)

 

Has anyone else heard of this claim?

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

While reading a copy of Alexandre Vattemare's Collection de Monnais et Médailles de l’Amérique du Nord de 1652 a 1858 I came across this curious statement on page 62 referring to the 1840 half cent:

 

"Effigie de Mme Patterson. Meme type jusqu'au dernier."

(Effigy of Mrs. Patterson. Same type as previous.)

 

Has anyone else heard of this claim?

 

RWB,What are you Effigie talking about

[RWB]

Was there some contempory rumor that it was Mrs. Patterson's portrait on the coin?

[DaveG]

Which coin was it that had the designer's "fat mistress" on it?

 

Was it the Capped Bust series?

[BROADSTRUCK]

Which coin was it that had the designer's "fat mistress" on it?

 

Was it the Capped Bust series?

 

There was speculation that John Reich’s German mistress was used as the model on all his designs from the 1/2c to $5.