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157.6 grains. 27.1 mm. From our 2005 Americana sale, where it was catalogued (with slight
editing) as: "Obverse STUART , MODEL 1859 at the periphery surrounding CENT between
two bars. Around reverse periphery in gothic letters SUA CUIQUE VOLUPTAS, and NEW YORK in
plain serifed letters below. At center is a script U.S. with two curved lines each above
and below. Skillfully engraved on a bronze planchet, whose weight at 10.2 grams is
consistent with a blank large cent planchet (statutory weight 10.89 grams). The fields
show signs of smoothing and dressing and of engraver's guide lines, and the upset rims are
consistent with a Type 2 unstruck blank. The intent of this ''model cent'' has been lost
to time. The consignor felt that this coin represented some sort of coinage proposal, but
by 1859 Small Cents had been in active production for two years, the same length of time
the Large Cents that this engraved piece imitates had been out of circulation. The Latin
inscription translates loosely as ''Every man has his own pleasure [or preference].'' What
this specifically refers to is obviously open to question, but perhaps the engraver
preferred the old copper Large Cents to the new-fandangled copper-nickel Small Cents that
had entered active circulation in 1857. Here is an enigmatic piece that will surely bring
much joy to the collector seeking a research challenge." We further noted a possible
author of this carefully engraved piece: "Although a long shot, the 1859 date and New
York location engraved on this curious piece possibly indicate the work of one Oliver J.
Stuart, who joined the American Numismatic Society in 1859 and who is listed in New York
City directories of 1858-1860 as an engraver working from 149 Broadway (see Q. David
Bowers, American Numismatics Before the Civil War, page 404)." The work suggests a
professional hand, and this attribution makes as much sense as any considering that a) if
the engraver had a blank large cent planchet he presumably had numismatic connections, b)
it has been purposely signed New York, c) the legend would best strike the funny bone of
someone fond of large cents such as most of the membership of the ANS in 1859. This piece
is fascinating, unique to our knowledge, and a fine fit for a cabinet of large cents,
patterns, or numismatic collectibles.
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