1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-209

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,288 • PR64 PCGS • Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-209 is an 1858 Indian Head cent pattern pairing Obverse 8 (the Indian Head design dated 1858) with Reverse B (an oak wreath with arrows below, tied with ribbon, open at the top, and ONE CENT at the center). This combination tests the adopted Indian Head obverse against the plain oak wreath reverse, offering a simpler wreath treatment than the ornate oak-with-shield version used on J-212. The oak wreath, featuring clusters of oak leaves and acorns, was one of several reverse alternatives evaluated before the laurel wreath was selected for the 1859 production issue. Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, this pattern is somewhat scarcer than the ubiquitous J-208, as it was not part of the standard 12-piece pattern sets but rather represents an additional die combination produced in smaller numbers.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Scarcer than J-208; estimated 40-80 examples survive.

Cross References

Pollock-260