1854 Proof Half Cent Pattern - J-155

Coin Details

Auction Record

$46,000 PR63 01-26-2014 Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

Judd-155 is a trial striking of the regular 1854 Braided Hair half cent dies in a special copper alloy, making it one of the rarest and most unobtainable of the 1854 experimental coinage. The obverse features the standard Braided Hair Liberty Head design facing left with thirteen stars around the periphery and the date 1854 below, identical to the regular-issue half cent. The reverse displays the standard half cent wreath enclosing "HALF CENT" with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border. What distinguishes this pattern from regular 1854 half cents is its composition: it was struck in a special experimental copper alloy rather than the standard pure copper used for circulation half cents. This piece represents one facet of the Mint's broad 1854 experimentation program, which tested not only new designs and sizes for the cent denomination but also alternative alloys for existing denominations. The half cent denomination was itself nearing extinction, with 1857 being the final year of production, making this experimental striking a doubly significant transitional artifact.

Rarity Notes

R.8. Sufficiently rare as to be virtually unobtainable. Only 1-2 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-183