2016-12-17 Sat

Glass planchets were used to mint 1942 cents by the Blue Ridge Glass Company in Kingsport, Tenn. to issue free coinage metals for military purposes. The only existing unbroken Proof 64 amber glass piece is offered on 5th January at the Heritage Auctions Platinum Night or the FUN Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In 1942, experiments were conducted to use an alternative material to conserve copper, tin and nickel during wars. During this time brass, zinc, lead, glass, hard rubber, plastic, Bakelite etc. were used to mint coins.

The obverse design copies a Columbian two-centavo coin design and the reverse is copied from a Washington medalet, Baker 155.

Blue Ridge could not heat the glass and dies to very hot temperatures at the same time. The glass was allowed to cool after striking resulting in soft details and surface imperfections.