1856 Proof Cent Pattern - J-181

Coin Details

Auction Record

$21,150 • PR64RB • 01-06-2016 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Judd-181 (Snow-5b) and rated High R.6, this proof striking of the 1856 Flying Eagle cent in copper represents a rare departure from the standard copper-nickel composition. It pairs the Pointed U obverse die with the Snow-9 reverse, the latter identified by a small die scratch on the left wreath stem. The Pointed U obverse is one of the scarcer die varieties in the 1856 series, also used for the Snow-2 and Snow-4 die marriages. Struck in copper with a plain edge, this proof issue would have been produced specifically for collectors or Mint officials, unlike the larger production runs of the copper-nickel J-180 that were distributed to promote the new small cent concept. The absence of a Pollock catalog number indicates this variety was overlooked in some early pattern references, though it has since been well documented by Flying Eagle cent specialists. Very few specimens survive, consistent with its High R.6 rarity rating.