1859 Cent Pattern - J-229

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,050 MS61 09-06-2000 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-229 is a business-strike-style 1859 Indian Head cent pattern struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge. The obverse features James B. Longacre's Indian Head design as adopted for regular issue cents, showing Liberty wearing a feathered headdress with LIBERTY inscribed on the headband, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border, and the date 1859 below. The reverse displays an oak wreath with a shield at the top enclosing the denomination ONE CENT. This pattern represents one of several die combinations tested during the transition from the 1859 laurel wreath reverse to the 1860 oak wreath with shield reverse. The business-strike finish distinguishes this piece from the proof version cataloged under the same Judd number, indicating the Mint produced examples in both formats to evaluate the design's appearance under different striking conditions.

Rarity Notes

R.5. Approximately 30-60 examples exist.

Cross References

Pollock-273