J-608 1868 Cent Pattern - J-608 1868 1c Pattern, NGC PF66 CAC. R-4.  Tied for the second finest known at NGC and tied for the finest at CAC, this eye-appealing, nickel 1868 cent pattern coin has light devices against a much darker background, creating an almost cameo effect. The obverse effigy is a mixture of light violet and gold, while the reverse devices are tanner and darker yellow. The fields are tan, gold, purple, and dark brown. The presence of these colors affirms the coins authenticity. The fields are free of hairlines that are visible without magnification as well as other problems. The coin is well struck with full details on Libertys crown, her hair, the Roman numeral, and the elements of the wreath. The CAC sticker confirms the grade and indicates that the coin is a premium quality piece.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the J-608 was also struck in copper. Its obverse shows a Liberty head facing left. She wears a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date below. The reverse shows a Roman numeral one enclosed in a laurel wreath. The design was uniform for other denominations for this year. In addition to the cent, they are the nickel three-cent piece and the nickel five-cent piece.

Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre began a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work.

In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two-cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three-dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.    

Although they were not produced in quantity, the cent, three-cent, and nickel five-cent patterns of 1868 are highly collectible. In its population report, NGC shows 7 J-608s certified in PF66 condition with only 1 better. At CAC, as of September 2013, there are only 2 confirmed in PF66, the present coin and one other.