Patterns (1849)

In 1849, James B. Longacre, chief engraver since 1844, produced a variety of interesting and numismatically important patterns, today the most remembered being the famous double eagle of that year.

Consideration was given to making a three-cent piece in silver, a new addition to the coinage lineup, representing a value above the cent and below the half dime. The coinage of pattern cents of a new format would wait until 1850, but pattern three-cent coins were made posthaste in 1849, with examples ready by January 18.