1854 Proof Cent Pattern - J-165, Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,600 • PR63 BN PCGS • 01-2009 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-165 is a restrike of the 1854 Flying Eagle cent pattern, struck in copper with a plain edge. The obverse features an eagle in full flight to the left, adapted from Christian Gobrecht's celebrated Seated Liberty dollar design of 1836, with thirteen stars arranged around the periphery and the date 1854 below. The reverse displays a laurel wreath enclosing the denomination "ONE CENT" with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border. As a restrike, this coin was produced some time after the original 1854 patterns, using the original dies which by then showed signs of additional wear and deterioration. The restrike designation is based on die state analysis and weight differences from the original strikings (J-163 and J-164). These Flying Eagle cent experiments of 1854 represent the earliest use of the iconic eagle-in-flight design that would eventually be adopted for the regular-issue 1857-1858 Flying Eagle cents. The 1854 Flying Eagle patterns are the "Large Flying Eagle" type, struck on planchets larger than the eventual small cent size.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Approximately 20-30 examples exist, more available than the originals.

Cross References

Pollock-190