1868 "Pattern" Braided Hair Cent. Judd-611, Pollock-676. Rarity-7-. Copper. Plain Edge. Proof-65 RB (PCGS). OGH. strongObv:/strong The same design that the Mint used to strike regular issue Braided Hair cents of the Mature Head type, 1843 to 1857. strongRev:/strong Also the same design that the Mint used to strike regular issue Braided Hair cents from 1843 to 1857. The richly original surfaces exhibit dominant rose-brown patina, with ample mint orange around the peripheries on both sides, that are more pronounced on the obverse. Iridescent undertones of lilac-blue and salmon pink enhance the eye appeal. The strike is sharp to full throughout the design and there is an overall smooth, satiny texture. A few faint carbon spots on the obverse around stars 12 and 13 are noted, but are not readily evident at all viewing angles.This is a lovely example. We have placed the word "pattern" in quotation marks above for it is not really applicable here. In 1868, when this coin was made, there was no intention of resuming the old copper large cent that had been discontinued in 1857. Instead, Judd-611 is a emnumismatic delicacy /em(or "fantasy piece," as described on theem uspatterns.com/em website), a coin made expressly for sale to collectors. The same is true of its Judd-610 counterpart struck in nickel. If Richard S. Yeoman had elected to list this type in emA Guide Book of United States Coins/em back in 1946 as an add on to the regular issue Braided Hair cent series of 1839 to 1857, this piece would probably be valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Today Judd-611 possesses enormous potential in our opinion, but it is not widely known.The emuspatterns.com/em website estimates that only about a dozen Judd-611 coins are extant, along with just seven examples of Judd-610 in nickel. The copper impressions, as here, are more popular, and they are sometimes included alongside sets of regular issue Braided Hair large cents. This is one of the few specimens that we have offered over the years, a beautiful Gem that is sure to see spirited bidding. From the Q. David Bowers Collection. The plate coin in the first seven editions of the Judd reference on pattern coinage.
