Judd 2116 variety, considered to be low Rarity-7. Struck in Cupronickel-Copper with a Reeded Edge.

Circa 1964 or so, this was a pattern used to test possible planchet compositions to replace the then circulating silver coinage, though in our opinion its just a really cool coin.

It is believed that these odd designs intentionally omitted the current date, country of origin and denomination until the proper legislation was passed authorizing the striking of coinage using this new composition. But the legislation never came through.

Experiments were conducted at the Philadelphia Mint with various planchets using these dies, including copper, nickel, stainless steel, zirconium and even columbium (we don’t know either, please look it up).

Most strikings were apparently destroyed, although two sets of these were retained and found their way to the Smithsonian in a thick blue lucite block.

In all, this is a rare and interesting item, and, thankfully, this particular example is lucite-free.

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