1857 Proof Quarter Eagle Pattern - J-189

Coin Details

Auction Record

$66,000 • PR65 BN PCGS CAC • 12-2023 • Heritage Auctions (Charles W. Montgomery Estate)

Description

Judd-189 is a remarkable 1857 pattern for the quarter eagle ($2.50 gold coin), struck in copper with a gilt surface to simulate gold. The obverse features a profile bust of Liberty facing left that is immediately recognizable to collectors as the design later adopted in 1865 for the copper-nickel three-cent piece (Nickel Three Cents). This forward-looking Liberty head, with hair drawn back and secured by a ribbon, was one of several Longacre designs under consideration for various denominations during this period. The reverse depicts a small spread-wing eagle, similar in style to earlier quarter eagle reverses but distinctly rendered. The coin measures approximately 18mm in diameter, consistent with the quarter eagle specification, and bears the denomination "$2 1/2" and the date 1857. The gilt copper composition was a standard practice for pattern coins intended to demonstrate gold denomination designs without using precious metal. Pattern specialist Saul Teichman has traced the provenance of the best-known specimen through a March 1981 Paramount auction, separate Stack's and American Numismatic Rarities sales, and the Charles W. Montgomery estate. An identifying marker is a scratch through the "D" in the denomination.

Rarity Notes

Low R.7. Approximately 4-6 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-226