One of several sources of copper pattern pieces
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is one of several exchanges of correspondence between Director Linderman and the Philadelphia Mint relating to pattern pieces. Silver and gold examples were kept in a display cabinet in the Director's office, although paid for by Linderman. Copper pieces were given to influential Members of Congress or the Secretary of Treasury as examples of proposed designs. Copper pieces were not charged for. Copper was used both because of its low cost and its ability to present full design detail better than such preliminary dies could produce in silver alloy.
Request:
July 31, 1877
From Preston (acting)
To Pollock
[E-235 Vol 13, p.62]
I am instructed by the Director to request that you will cause to be struck in copper and transmitted to this office two pieces from each of the pattern or experimental dies which have been prepared during the past year by Messrs. Barber, Morgan and Pacquet [sic] from the $50 piece to the dime.
Reply:
Mint of the United States
Philadelphia
August 6, 1877
R. E. Preston, Esquire
Acting Director Mint
Washington, D.C.
Sir.
Referring to your letter of the 31st ultimo, I send you to day by the Adams Express Co. the following impressions in copper of new designs for silver coins.
By Mr. Barber
6 Dollar Pieces
10 Half dollar pieces
2 Quarter pieces
2 Dimes pieces
By Mr. Morgan
12 Half Dollar pieces
By Mr. Pacquet [sic]
2 Half Dollar pieces
The dies for the $50 gold coin are not yet completed. Will be able to send you specimens in copper, in a week or ten days.
Very Respectfully,
James Pollock,
Superintendent
[RG104 E-229 Box 2 of 17]
Comments
Interesting information, thank you for sharing !!!
Who has these pattern pieces now?
Would it not be incredible to come across one of these pieces in an antique or pawn shop? Totally unattributed and raw...just languishing in a counter among other random coins. Such things can happen....
Just not to me.... 
Cheers, RickO
The copper "samples" were of no value to most and quickly found their way into collectors' hands. Today, they might sit in a major collection - especially the Morgan and Paquet pieces.