1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-208

Coin Details

Auction Record

$18,800 • MS65 NGC • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-208 is the most significant of all 1858 cent patterns: the transitional Indian Head cent with laurel wreath reverse. It pairs Obverse 8 (the Indian Head design as adopted in 1859, dated 1858) with Reverse D (the laurel wreath with ONE CENT at the center). Except for the date, this coin is identical to a regular-issue 1859 Indian Head cent. The obverse features Longacre's iconic Indian Head portrait of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress with LIBERTY inscribed on the headband and the date 1858 below. The reverse displays the laurel wreath with five-leaf clusters that would become the standard reverse for 1859 production. This is among the most available of all United States pattern coins, as the Mint struck examples across multiple die pairs over an extended period, including both proof and uncirculated formats.

Rarity Notes

R.1 to R.4 depending on die pair. The most common 1858 pattern cent; hundreds of examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-259; Snow-PT28a