Pattern coins ?

[reid1836]

I've read several articles about the 1974 and 1974-D Lincoln cents produced in aluminum. I was wondering if anything like that was produced in 1977 as test alloy pieces and whatnot ? Any info or reference info would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Reid1836

[CaptHenway]

None that are known, but the Mint did do stuff without telling anybody.

 

That said, there are a lot of plated ordinary coins around. Check the weight, as compared to another pre-1982 cent.

[BillJones]

The mint as usually been very hush-hush about most of their experimental coins for a number of years. Many years ago, William Wooden, who was, at the end of his life, secretary of the treasury under Franklin Roosevelt, traded a $50 gold pattern coin for a "trunk full" of 19th century pattern coins. A lot of the pattern coins that we have today came from that hoard. The trade caused a lot of controversy and since then the mint has often made their patterns and quietly destroyed them to avoid a repeat episode.