1855 Proof Cent Pattern - J-172

Coin Details

Auction Record

$10,800 PR65BN 05-12-2024 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1855 Flying Eagle cent pattern, designated Judd-172 (Pollock-198) and rated Low R.6, features the hooked-neck eagle design on its obverse that would evolve into the famous 1856-1858 Flying Eagle cent. However, this variant is distinguished by its reverse die, which carries a noticeably smaller wreath than the versions seen on J-167 through J-171. A diagnostic detail helps identify the die pairing: two leaves appear beneath the E in STATES, a feature not present on other reverse dies in the series. Struck in pure copper with a plain edge, J-172 represents one of the more traditional metallic choices among the 1855 cent experiments, harking back to the composition of the large cents that these patterns were intended to replace. The copper composition gives surviving examples a warm reddish-brown tone, though as noted by specialists, specimens retaining significant original red color are extremely scarce across all 1855 Flying Eagle patterns. The Low R.6 rating places this among the more obtainable varieties in the series, though it remains genuinely rare by any normal collecting standard.