1857 Proof Cent Pattern - J-186

Coin Details

Auction Record

$18,132 PR66 02-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Judd-186 (Pollock-222) and rated High R.7, this 1857 cent pattern features an entirely different design concept from the Flying Eagle cents being produced for circulation that same year. The obverse presents a large bust of Liberty facing left, closely resembling the portrait that would later appear on the three-cent nickel beginning in 1865. This forward-looking design was clearly experimental, exploring alternatives to the Flying Eagle motif even as that design was being struck for commerce. The reverse places ONE CENT at center within a wreath, but the piece is actually a muled combination of dies from different pattern series. The obverse was originally created for a quarter eagle ($2.50 gold) pattern (Judd-189), while the reverse comes from the 1853 cent pattern (Judd-149). The mismatched denticle sizes on each side — a telltale sign of dies intended for different denominations — further confirm the muled nature of this striking. Produced in copper-nickel with a plain edge, J-186 is extremely rare and represents one of the more unusual combinations in the 1857 pattern cent series.