1854 Proof Cent Pattern - J-156

Coin Details

Auction Record

$9,775 PR65 09-21-2005 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

Judd-156 is one of the most fascinating of the 1854 experimental cent patterns, struck in copper with a plain edge. The obverse was created through a remarkable mechanical transfer process: a stylus traced a slow spiral across the obverse of a regularly struck 1854 Seated Liberty silver dollar, reducing the full dollar design down to cent size. This lathe-reduction process left distinctive transfer lines and irregularities across the fields, and the crossbar of the 4 in the date was lost during reduction, making the date appear as "1851." The reverse features a heavy open wreath of oak leaves and acorns tied with a ribbon bow at bottom, enclosing the denomination "1 CENT." Designed under the supervision of James B. Longacre, this experimental piece was not intended to illustrate a proposed design but rather to test the feasibility of reducing existing designs to smaller diameters for a new small cent denomination. It stands as a physical record of the Mint's innovative die-making experiments during the pivotal transition from large to small cents.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Fewer than 10 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-184