1871 Proof Three Cent Pattern - J-1049

Coin Details

Auction Record

$18,400 PR64 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions

Description

Closing the 1871 three-cent series, J-1049 features a modified Liberty Head obverse with a copper-nickel composition, paired with a wreath reverse enclosing the Roman numeral III. This variant explores a different bust arrangement from the preceding entries, demonstrating William Barber's practice of producing multiple portrait interpretations for each denomination. The piece concludes five consecutive experiments with the three-cent format during a period when the denomination's very survival was being debated in Congress.

Rarity Notes

R-6 to R-7. Approximately 10-15 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-1049, Pollock-1184