Lot 1334
1856 Pattern Cent. Copper, plain edge. PCGS graded Proof 64 Brown PQ. In PCGS holder 11414234. Well struck. Lovely rich blue brown toning. Very choice for the grade. Recently added to the census. Similar quality to a Proof 64 example offered in a 2004 Heritage sale (but a different coin), this interesting and rare Pattern is one in which the obverse legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date were absent in the die. Although no date is indicated, this Pattern has usually been assigned with the other 1856 varieties by Judd and Pollock, although Rick Snow believes that Judd-179 might have been struck in 1858, as part of a series of Pattern proposals made that year. Whatever, the source, the reverse die is the same as that seen on several 1856 Flying Eagle cent die marriages, including S-5, S-6, S-7, and S-9. A tiny die scratch on the left ribbon end serves to identify it. Struck in copper with a plain edge. This bold chocolate-brown to steel-brown toned specimen has very choice surfaces aside from a whisper of verdigris on the reverse dentils near the left ribbon end. Possibly as few as 15 pieces struck. Pop 1; 2 finer, 1 in 65, 1 in 66 (recently graded) (PCGS # 11783) .
According to A Buyer's and Enthusiast's Guide to Flying Eagle and Indian Cents by Q. David Bowers,
"Proof coins are said to have been struck during this era by using a screw press which operated more slowly than a steam-powered press. However, it is possible that knuckle-type presses of the regular steam driven variety were employed, but at a slower speed than in the Coining Department. Production took place in the Medal Department, which was separate from the mass-production coinage facility and which was loosely supervised. No records survive of the specific quantities struck of Proof Flying Eagle cents, if indeed any records were ever kept.
"To create a Proof Flying Eagle cent, polished obverse and reverse dies compressed a cleaned and lightly polished planchet that was placed into the die and removed by hand, so as to prevent marks. It was recommended to strike each coin twice to fully bring up the sharpness of the design, but in practice many if not most seem to have been struck just once."
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
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| Realized $29,900 |
