1855 Proof Cent Pattern - J-171

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,638 • PR63 PCGS • 05-2016 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-171 is a rare 1855 Flying Eagle cent pattern struck in a nickel alloy (approximately 60% copper, 40% nickel) or German silver (75% copper, 12% nickel, 13% zinc), with a plain edge. The obverse features an eagle flying left, adapted from Christian Gobrecht's celebrated design for the 1836 Seated Liberty dollar, with thirteen stars arranged around the periphery and the date 1855 below. The reverse displays a laurel wreath enclosing the denomination "ONE CENT" with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border. This is one of the "Large Flying Eagle" patterns struck on a planchet larger than the eventual 1857-1858 small cent, representing a transitional size between the large and small cent formats. Attribution of this variety has been complicated by compositional analysis: testing has revealed that most specimens previously identified as J-170, J-171, and J-171a are actually J-170a, making confirmed J-171 specimens particularly elusive. The 1855 Flying Eagle patterns continued the experiments begun in 1854, with Mint records indicating three metal compositions were tested including bronze, 90% copper/10% nickel, and 80% copper/20% nickel.

Rarity Notes

R.8. Extremely rare; most purported examples have been reattributed to J-170a upon compositional testing.

Cross References

Pollock-196