1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-194

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,800 • PR64 PCGS • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-194 is an 1858 Flying Eagle cent pattern pairing Obverse 5 (the regular Flying Eagle die with Small Letters) with Reverse D (a laurel wreath tied with ribbon below, with ONE CENT at the center). The laurel wreath, variously described in Mint correspondence as "laurel" or "olive," would eventually be adopted for the regular-issue 1859 Indian Head cent. This reverse represents the design that ultimately won approval from Mint Director Snowden, though paired here with the outgoing Flying Eagle obverse rather than the incoming Indian Head. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, this pattern demonstrates the methodical way the Mint evaluated each reverse design against all available obverse dies. Examples from 12-piece sets are the primary source of surviving specimens.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Estimated 40-80 examples survive from 12-piece pattern sets.

Cross References

Pollock-237