1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-218a

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-218a, this pattern cent shares the same die combination as J-218, pairing the Large Letters Flying Eagle obverse with the agricultural wreath reverse. The obverse displays the Flying Eagle with large letters and the date 1858, while the reverse carries the standard wreath from the regular cent issue. The distinguishing feature of J-218a is its composition: struck in copper-nickel rather than the copper of J-218, this piece represents the standard white-metal alloy used for circulating Flying Eagle cents. The plain edge is consistent with other entries in the 1858 pattern series. As a composition variant, J-218a allows direct comparison of how the same dies produced different visual results in different metals, a consideration that was central to the Mint's ongoing evaluation of alloys suitable for the small cent denomination.