1856 Proof Cent Pattern - J-182, Thin

Coin Details

Description

This thin planchet variant of Judd-182 (Pollock-213) shares the standard 1856 Flying Eagle cent design struck in bronze, but on a noticeably thinner flan than the regular-weight specimens. The reduced thickness would have been part of the Mint's experimentation with planchet specifications, testing how different weight and thickness combinations affected striking quality, stackability, and overall suitability for commerce. The obverse presents the familiar Flying Eagle surrounded by stars with the date 1856, while the reverse shows ONE CENT within a wreath. The thinner planchet may result in slightly different strike characteristics compared to the standard-thickness version, potentially showing sharper detail in some areas due to reduced metal flow required to fill the dies. With a plain edge and bronze composition, this variant adds another dimension to the already extensive family of 1856 Flying Eagle cent patterns, representing the Mint's systematic approach to optimizing every aspect of the proposed new denomination.