1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-205

Coin Details

Auction Record

$6,463 • PR64 PCGS • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-205 is an 1858 cent pattern pairing Obverse 6 (the Small or "Skinny" Flying Eagle by Paquet) with Reverse D (a laurel wreath tied with ribbon below, with ONE CENT at the center). This combination unites Paquet's controversial small eagle design with the laurel wreath that would ultimately be adopted for the 1859 Indian Head cent reverse. The laurel wreath, variously called "laurel" or "olive" in contemporary Mint correspondence, features clusters of leaves tied at the base with a ribbon bow. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, this pattern demonstrates that even after settling on the laurel wreath as the preferred reverse, the Mint continued to test it against every available obverse before making a final decision on the obverse design.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Pollock-249