Patterns (1803)
History and Overview
In 1803 the Philadelphia Mint continued to be the only federal coinage facility. Recent years had not been easy for the Mint, as there had been disruptions due to yellow fever epidemics, shortages of metal, and other problems, not to overlook occasional resistance from members of Congress who sought to abolish the Mint, in favor of having coinage performed by private contract.
Although pattern coins and trial strikings may have been made in 1803, no record of them survives today.2 The piece listed below is of a different nature—made outside of the Mint at a later date, although from an 1803 die.
Collecting Perspective
The unique “pattern” of this year is a restrike from dies not necessarily correctly matched, although the variety has not been examined to confirm this. It is in the category of a private restrike, among many such pieces listed in the present text.