NNP

1884 1C One Cent, Judd-1721, Pollock-1929, R.6, PR66 NGC. Design. The Eastman Johnson "holey cent" design. The planchet is holed at the center. The obverse has UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and the date below, with no other design or ornament. The reverse shows ONE CENT above with an inverted shield and wheat stalks below, within which the fields are open. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. Commentary. A hole at the center of the one cent and five cents patterns of 1884 was the design concept of artist Eastman Johnson, known for his painting "Old Kentucky Home." Johnson's pattern design was modified and issued again in 1885. When the perforated planchets were struck, metal flowed inward, creating the imperfect outline to the central hole. Thick and thin variants are known. This piece was struck on a thin planchet and shows a smaller perforation. USPatterns.com states that about two dozen are known. Physical Description. Delicate champagne toning appears on both sides of this fully mirrored Premium Gem. The minimal design elements suggest a bold strike with a few trivial planchet flakes and lint marks as made. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4043, realized $6462.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.