1851 Proof Cent Pattern - J-129, Original

Coin Details

Auction Record

$6,030 PR66BN 11-22-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-129 (Pollock-153, R.7) belongs to the same family of ring cent patterns as Judd-127 through Judd-131, all of which explored reducing the oversized copper cent to a smaller, more practical format. This original striking is produced in copper with medallic alignment and features a central perforation, which identifies it as a genuine original rather than a later restrike. The design matches the other ring cents in this series: CENT and ONE TENTH SILVER on one side, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and a wreath on the other. Though the billon alloy proposed for these patterns contained one-tenth silver, this copper specimen served as a trial piece to test the dies and striking characteristics. The distinction between originals and restrikes in this series generally hinges on the presence of the central perforation. Original strikings were produced on properly prepared annular planchets, while later restrikes made by Mint insiders for the collector market in the late 1850s and 1860s often used standard unperforated planchets, because the restrike producers did not bother with the additional step of punching out the centers. This is an extremely rare pattern.