1855 Proof Eagle Pattern - J-176, Restrike

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-176 and identified as a restrike, this 1855 eagle ($10 gold denomination) pattern is a remarkable experimental issue from the pre-Civil War era. The piece was produced using dies intended for the ten-dollar gold denomination but struck outside the normal production process, at a later date to supply the collector market. As a restrike, this pattern was produced after the original striking period, a common practice at the Philadelphia Mint during the mid-to-late nineteenth century when numismatic interest in pattern coins was growing rapidly. The piece offers insight into the Mint's ongoing experimentation with designs and denominations during a period when the nation's coinage was undergoing significant evolution. Pattern eagles from the 1850s are exceptionally rare, as relatively few experimental pieces were produced for the higher gold denominations compared to the extensive series of cent and dollar patterns from the same era. This restrike issue remains highly sought after by pattern specialists.