Although these are described as regular die trial pieces in the standard references, it is more likely that the off-metal trials of this year were deliberately struck for sale to collectors with the copper ones sold as part of complete sets. Examples were struck in copper J1482/P1635 which should weigh ~39-57 grains and supposedly in aluminum J1483/P1636 which should weigh ~13-18 grains with only 3 or 4 known in total which we believe were all struck in copper. To view all available images, click here. For example, the illustrated piece from GreatCollections.com 3/24/2013 NGC61 gilt coin was slabbed as gilt aluminum where it was purchased by Simpson and has since been resold again as gilt aluminum in Heritage 11/20 now graded as PCGS63 gilt. This coin has a carbon spot at 6:00 on the reverse which allows it to be plate matched to NASCA's 11/77 Bryan sale where it was correctly offered as copper gilt. They also noted that the coin weighed 2.54 grams~39.2 grains which clearly shows that it is actually copper. An aluminum example would weigh less than half of that. We can account for only 2 or 3 examples: 1) Superior 10/92 as NGC64 gilt, Simpson-Heritage 1/24 FUN - PCGS66 gilt. 2) NASCA 11/77 (39.1 grains), GreatCollections.com 3/23/13 (as J1483 in error) as NGC61 gilt, Simpson-Heritage 11/20 (as J1483 in error) - PCGS62 gilt with 2 spots at dentil above 2nd T in STATES and another on the reverse rim at 6:00, illustrated above, click on the thumbnail image to enlarge 2) Superior 10/92 as NGC64 gilt, Simpson-Heritage 1/24 FUN - PCGS66 gilt. 3) Stacks 8/71 ANA (as J1483 in error), Champa-AAA (Bowers & Ruddy) 5/72 (as J1483 in error) – proof 60 gilt with a spot at the tip of Liberty’s neck at 6:00, possibly one of above The many entries in some 1970s auction sales as gilt aluminum that are mentioned in Pollock are more likely additional offerings for the 2 copper gilt pieces listed above or additional copper pieces. We do not believe any examples were ever struck in aluminum. We have also seen 2 different counterfeits. Photo courtesy of PCGS.