{"id":38033,"date":"2025-12-20T00:52:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T00:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/unique-set-of-martha-washington-test-pieces-features-five-experimental-u-s-mint-finishes\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T00:52:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T00:52:21","slug":"unique-set-of-martha-washington-test-pieces-features-five-experimental-u-s-mint-finishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/unique-set-of-martha-washington-test-pieces-features-five-experimental-u-s-mint-finishes\/","title":{"rendered":"Unique Set of Martha Washington Test Pieces Features Five Experimental U.S. Mint Finishes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A spectacular, historically significant, <strong>unique<\/strong> set of <strong>Martha Washington Quarter-sized test pieces<\/strong>, struck <strong>circa 1999<\/strong>, offers a rare window into how the United States Mint experiments with coin finishes, compositions, and surfaces. Not only are these pieces officially documented, but they also represent five distinct experimental finishes, two of which later entered mainstream U.S. coinage.<\/p>\n<p>Listed on the USPatterns website and assigned Judd-2116, these test pieces were struck in cupro-nickel clad and certified by NGC. More importantly, the set remains unique, making it one of the most intriguing modern pattern discoveries available to collectors.<\/p>\n<h3>Five Experimental Finishes Tested by the U.S. Mint<\/h3>\n<p>This exceptional set consists of<strong> five Martha Washington quarters, each struck with a different experimental finish<\/strong>. At the time, the U.S. Mint explored surface treatments to improve durability, aesthetics, and long-term performance.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/antiques_obv.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236475\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/antiques_obv.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Antique Finish Obv\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/antique-rev.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236476\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/antique-rev.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Antique Finish Rev\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong>Martha Washingtom Quarter Test \u2013 Antique Finish<\/strong>.<em> [LEFT] Obverse \u2013 [RIGHT] Reverse<\/em><\/div>\n<h4>The five finishes include:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Antique Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Satin Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Brushed Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Reverse Proof Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Proof Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Notably, the Mint later adopted two of these finishes for circulating and collector coinage. Specifically, the satin finish appeared in Mint Sets from 2005 through 2010, while the reverse proof finish debuted on the 2006-P American Silver Eagle.<\/p>\n<p>However, to date, no official U.S. coinage has been issued with either a brushed finish or an antique finish, underscoring the experimental nature of this set.<\/p>\n<h3>Discovery of the Martha Washington Test Pieces<\/h3>\n<p>The modern rediscovery of Martha Washington test pieces began in 1999, when <strong>Mike Byers<\/strong> uncovered the first known example struck on a U.S. cent planchet. After authentication and certification by NGC, Coin World featured the piece on its front page, immediately drawing national attention.<\/p>\n<p>A few years later, Byers discovered seven additional Martha Washington test pieces, struck on various U.S. planchets and in multiple compositions. NGC certified these examples as well. Since then, several other pieces have surfaced, with public auction and private sale prices reaching as high as $25,000 per coin.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/satin-obv.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236475\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/satin-obv.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Satin Finish Obv\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/satin-rev.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236476\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/satin-rev.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Satin Rev\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong>Martha Washingtom Quarter Test \u2013 Satin Finish<\/strong>.<em> [LEFT] Obverse \u2013 [RIGHT] Reverse<\/em><\/div>\n<h3>The Martha Washington Quarter and Judd-2115<\/h3>\n<p>Eventually, <strong>Byers made another landmark discovery<\/strong>: the first Martha Washington test piece struck on a clad quarter planchet. This coin became the plate coin for <strong>Judd-2115<\/strong> on page 290 of the eighth edition of United States Pattern Coins, Experimental and Trial Pieces.<\/p>\n<p>More recently, a second Martha Washington quarter has emerged, confirming that limited experimentation extended beyond a single piece. Additional details can be found through <span><a href=\"https:\/\/uspatterns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">USPatterns.com<\/a><\/span>, which continues to document new discoveries as they surface.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/brushed-obv.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236475\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/brushed-obv.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Brushed Finish Obv\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/brushed-rev.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236476\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/brushed-rev.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Brushed Finish Rev\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong>Martha Washingtom Quarter Test \u2013 Brushed Finish<\/strong>.<em> [LEFT] Obverse \u2013 [RIGHT] Reverse<\/em><\/div>\n<h3>Smithsonian Examples and Early Metallurgical Testing<\/h3>\n<p>According to United States Pattern and Related Issues by Andrew W. Pollock III, the only trial pieces believed to have survived metallurgical testing in 1965 include dime, quarter dollar, and half dollar equivalents struck in copper-nickel clad over copper.<\/p>\n<p>One such trio, struck using Martha Washington dies, resides permanently at the Smithsonian Institution, embedded in lucite blocks. These preserved examples highlight the long-standing role of the design in Mint experimentation.<\/p>\n<h3>Why the U.S. Mint Uses Martha Washington Dies<\/h3>\n<p>Over time, the Martha Washington design became the Mint\u2019s all-purpose test motif. The Mint deliberately selected it to avoid creating unintended rarities using circulating coin designs.<\/p>\n<h4>As a result, the dies have tested:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>New metal compositions<\/li>\n<li>Experimental surface finishes<\/li>\n<li>Planchet sizes and thicknesses<\/li>\n<li>Edge lettering techniques<\/li>\n<li>Even Braille elements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Importantly, these experimental strikes occurred both inside the U.S. Mint and through outside contractors. Domestic partners included IDX Inc., PMX Industries, and Olin Brass Corporation, while Schuler AG of Germany handled overseas striking. Schuler AG also supplies the coin presses currently used by the U.S. Mint.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rp-obv.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236475\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rp-obv.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Reverse Proof Finish Obv\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rp-rev.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236476\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rp-rev.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Reverse Proof Finish Rev\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong>Martha Washingtom Quarter Test \u2013 Reverse Proof Finish<\/strong>.<em> [LEFT] Obverse \u2013 [RIGHT] Reverse<\/em><\/div>\n<h3>Design Details of the Martha Washington Test Dies<\/h3>\n<p>The proof dies used for these experiments remained in service from 1965 through 2011, when the Mint introduced a redesigned version.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The obverse<\/strong> features a bust of Martha Washington, with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cVIRGINIA\u201d above<\/li>\n<li>The date \u201c1759\u201d below, marking her marriage to George Washington<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The reverse<\/strong> typically depicts Mount Vernon, reinforcing the historical theme while avoiding overlap with circulating coin designs.<\/p>\n<h3>Experimental Alloys Struck Using Martha Washington Dies<\/h3>\n<p>Beyond cupro-nickel clad examples, the Mint struck Martha Washington test pieces in a wide range of alloys. These compositions appear in the Final Report on a Study of Alloys Suitable for Use as United States Coinage (February 12, 1965), prepared by Battelle Memorial Institute.<\/p>\n<h3>Documented Judd varieties include:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Nickel \u2013 J2115<\/li>\n<li>Cupro-nickel clad \u2013 J2116<\/li>\n<li>50% silver \/ 50% copper \u2013 J2117<\/li>\n<li>Silver clad \u2013 J2118<\/li>\n<li>Columbium (Type 1 &amp; 2) \u2013 J2119\u2013J2120<\/li>\n<li>Zirconium \u2013 J2121<\/li>\n<li>Monel alloy \u2013 J2122<\/li>\n<li>Nickel\u20135% silicon with magnetic core \u2013 J2123<\/li>\n<li>Stainless steel (Types 301 &amp; 302) \u2013 J2124\u2013J2126<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Notably, Judd-2116 exists in both business strike and proof formats, including the five experimental finishes struck circa 1999.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/proof-obv.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236475\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/proof-obv.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Proof Finish Obv\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/proof-rev.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-236476\" src=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/proof-rev.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Washingtom Quarter Test - Proof Finish Rev\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong>Martha Washingtom Quarter Test \u2013 Proof Finish<\/strong>.<em> [LEFT] Obverse \u2013 [RIGHT] Reverse<\/em><\/div>\n<h3>Anti-Tarnish Testing and Mint Experiments<\/h3>\n<p>According to a Coin World article dated June 24, 2002, the Philadelphia Mint conducted anti-tarnish testing on January 8, 2000, using Sacagawea dollar blanks struck with Martha Washington experimental dies.<\/p>\n<p>The Mint tested seven separate processes, spanning:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Circulation-quality strikes<\/li>\n<li>Uncirculated (Mint Set) coins<\/li>\n<li>Proof-quality coins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, technicians used at least four different presses and applied five burnishing methods, underscoring the depth and complexity of the Mint\u2019s research.<\/p>\n<h3>A World-Class Set for Advanced Collectors<\/h3>\n<p>Ultimately, this unique five-piece set of Martha Washington test pieces represents far more than experimental coinage. Instead, it documents how the U.S. Mint evaluates finishes, surfaces, and metals before introducing them to the public.<\/p>\n<p>For advanced collectors and institutions alike, this set belongs squarely in a world-class U.S. coin collection, bridging the gap between pattern history, modern Mint innovation, and numismatic discovery.<\/p>\n<p>* * *<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/3f6bfb03be9a\/newsletter-signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><em>Want more stories like this? <strong>Sign up for the CoinWeek newsletter<\/strong> and never miss a rare discovery, auction highlight, or collector deep-dive.<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/unique-set-of-martha-washington-test-pieces-features-five-experimental-u-s-mint-finishes\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Unique Set of Martha Washington Test Pieces Features Five Experimental U.S. Mint Finishes<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/coinweek.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A spectacular, historically significant, unique set of Martha Washington Quarter-sized test pieces, struck circa 1999, offers a rare window into how the United States Mint experiments with coin finishes, compositions, and surfaces. Not only are these pieces officially documented, but they also represent five distinct experimental finishes, two of which later entered mainstream U.S. coinage. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-finance"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-25 17:18:38","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38033\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}