1854 Proof Cent Pattern - J-164, Original

Coin Details

Auction Record

$28,200 PR66 01-01-2013 Stack's Bowers

Description

Judd-164, Pollock-189, rated R.5. Sharing the same hook-neck flying eagle obverse and undersized-wreath reverse as the J-163, the J-164 differs in its composition: bronze rather than copper. The obverse presents the eagle in flight surrounded by thirteen stars with 1854 below, while the reverse displays ONE CENT within a wreath and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border, both rendered smaller than on the contemporary circulating large cent. The plain edge and large cent diameter are retained. Bronze offered distinct advantages over pure copper for coinage — greater hardness, improved resistance to wear, and a warmer coloration that many found aesthetically pleasing. This original striking is somewhat more available than the copper J-163, suggesting a slightly larger initial production run. The J-164 sits at an interesting crossroads in Mint history, combining the soon-to-be-adopted flying eagle design with the bronze composition that would eventually replace copper-nickel on the Indian Head cent a decade later.