Patterns (1850)
In 1850, patterns were struck for a new version of the cent. This was the first in an extensive series of patterns for a small-diameter cent to replace the copper “large cent” so familiar in circulation. A smaller, lighter coin would be less expensive to produce and would also result in increased profits for the Mint. At the time, the Mint had its own profit account for half cents and cents, while the larger silver and gold denominations returned only the expenses of coining, not an operating profit.1
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