<strong>Obv: </strong>A Columbian two centavo-type Liberty Head faces right with the words LIBERTY and JUSTICE around the border and the date 1942 below. <strong>Rev:</strong> The inscription UNITED STATES MINT within a wreath. Called "reddish brown plastic" by Pollock, variegated cinnamon and deep mahogany hues paint each side of this experimental cent. Though the pulp filler delivers a lightly fibrous texture, the complexion remains glossy overall. The previously severed halves have been neatly united, with just the faintest traces of glue residue visible under magnified scrutiny. Calculated marks are spotted at 12, 3, 6 and 9 oclock on the reverse, in addition to the characters E-1 engraved in the upper field. While these etchings are most certainly relics of durability testing performed by the National Bureau of Standards (NSB) and should not be confused for haphazard damage, there is also a strong likelihood that the specimen was broken in half during the same tests. </p>Made available by Roger Burdette in <em>United States Pattern & Experimental Pieces of WW-II</em> (2012), the NSB report presented to the Bureau of the Mint on December 22, 1942 notes that specimens provided by Durez Plastics and Chemicals, Inc were given the sample designation E, alluding to the provenance of the present example. The same report outlines an Impact Strength Test in Table 9 that evaluates a specimen "1" from sample E, employing an Izod-style test that strikes specimens until fracture. Without much imagination, it could be suggested that the present "E-1" example was severed in this U.S. Government-regulated evaluation. This example is also plated on page 171 in the aforementioned work by Burdette where he notes that 50 to 100 samples of the RB 42-57 type were sent to the Mint, and at least a dozen were provided to NBS for testing. An attractive and intriguing example for both Pattern and World War II enthusiasts alike! <strong>Unc Details. </strong></span></p>,PCGS# 12250.,,Ex Heritages Signature Sale of August 2001, lot 8422; Heritages FUN Auction of January 2009, lot 2071.
