1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-191

Coin Details

Auction Record

$26,400 PR65 02-25-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Judd-191, Pollock-233, and rated R.5, this transitional cent pattern offers a compelling bridge between two eras of American small cent coinage. The obverse carries the familiar Small Letters Flying Eagle design used on regular 1858 cents, with a bold eagle in flight surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date below. The reverse, however, looks forward to the future: it bears the laurel wreath that would appear on the 1859 Indian Head cent, with leaves arranged in distinctive clusters of five encircling the denomination ONE CENT. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, this piece was among the transitional experiments conducted at the Philadelphia Mint as Chief Engraver James B. Longacre and Mint Director James Ross Snowden worked to replace the problematic Flying Eagle design. By pairing existing Flying Eagle obverse dies with prototype reverses intended for the upcoming Indian Head cent, the Mint created a small number of pieces that straddle two distinct coin series. Survivors are scarce, and the extensive die rust visible on known examples indicates the dies were not well maintained, consistent with their experimental nature.