1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-197

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,175 • PR64 PCGS • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-197 is an 1858 Flying Eagle cent pattern pairing Obverse 4 (the regular Flying Eagle die with Large Letters) with Reverse B (an oak wreath with arrows below, tied with ribbon, open at the top, with ONE CENT at the center). The Large Letters obverse was the first hub style used for Flying Eagle cents beginning in 1856 and continuing through early 1858, before being replaced by the Small Letters variety. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, this pattern uses the same oak wreath reverse as J-192, but paired with the earlier Large Letters obverse die. The combination was part of the comprehensive die-pairing program that produced approximately 60-100 sets of 12 patterns each. Mint records indicate these sets were distributed to officials for evaluation and quietly sold to collectors over several years.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Estimated 40-80 examples survive.

Cross References

Pollock-240