1858 Proof Cent Pattern - J-219a

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-219a, this pattern cent is a transitional piece that bridges the Flying Eagle and Indian Head cent series. Like J-191, it pairs the Small Letters Flying Eagle obverse of 1858 with the laurel wreath reverse destined for the 1859 Indian Head cent, where leaves appear in clusters of five surrounding ONE CENT. What sets J-219a apart is its composition: struck in nickel rather than the copper-nickel alloy used for most 1858 cent patterns. Pure nickel was considerably harder than the standard 88% copper, 12% nickel blend, and experimenting with it reflected the Mint's broader interest in finding the ideal alloy for the new small cent. The harder metal would have produced sharper detail but also increased die wear, a tradeoff the Mint was actively evaluating. This nickel striking is notably rare among the 1858 transitional patterns.