Lot 2068
1854 Unique Pattern Cent. . J-157A. NGC graded Proof 64. Unusual wheel spiral strike. First we have seen on a Pattern and distinctive for this rare item. Similar to the reverse Pattern on a slug, only in this case the mint used an 1854 silver dollar as the "model." Lightly toned. (In submitting pieces of this Pattern for examination on January 17, 1854, Director of the Mint Snowden explained that these were prepared solely to show the size and the character of the metal, not the design. In fact the obverse die was prepared by a copying lathe from a silver dollar obverse. This fact explains the concentric lines blurring the design of Liberty, the distortion of the stars and the incompleteness of the numerals in the date.)
Note: Struck with a reeded edge in a German silver alloy, 20% nickel, 71% copper, 9% zinc. Judd-156, Judd-157, Judd-158, and Judd-158a are also from the same dies, but the alloy differs slightly. This confuses the number of survivors for each specific Judd number, since they cannot be distinguished by color or weight. However, all varieties are clearly very rare. According to uspatterns.com, Judd-157A was discovered by Jay Parrino, and first reported in an April 1998 edition of Coin World. This lightly toned steel-blue and chestnut piece has subtle satin luster and a tiny spot on the obverse rim near 6 o'clock.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000.
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