1836 2C J-55a (Proof)

Alan Meghrig, who has studied Two-Cent patterns (and all U.S. Two-Cent pieces) for years notes that all 1836 Two-Cent patterns were struck from the same dies -- all with the A in STATES punched over an E. What he also discovered is that the circulation strikes (or Originals) were all made from an early state of the dies, with a bold undertype of the E beneath the A. Later, the dies were polished in preparation for restriking, removing some of the undertype. To eliminate any confusion between Original and Restrikes, the following characteristics apply.

1. Originals: always with a Reeded Edge and a coin turn -- these are always business strikes

2. Restrikes: always with a Plain Edge and a medal turn -- these are always Proofs.

Meghrig found no exception to this rule, except one -- the Eliasberg J-54, which was a Proof with a medal turn, but the edges were reeded. Upon comparison with Originals with Reeded Edges, Mehgrig noticed that the reeding was different and that it had been applied AFTER the coin was struck. Thus, there are no exceptions to the two rules noted above.