Patterns (1857)

History and Overview

The year 1857 was the launching pad for American numismatics as a widespread hobby. The Act of February 21 mandated the discontinuation of the copper half cent and cent, effective two years thence (but later given a six-month extension). Soon, all such pieces, including the familiar large “pennies” of childhood, would be gone from circulation. Nostalgia swept America, and countless citizens looked through loose coins and elsewhere to see how many different dates they could acquire.

The new Flying Eagle cents were struck in quantity from 1857-dated dies, and on May 25, the first pieces were released to the general public.

Other patterns listed under 1857 are those actually dated in that year, including J-186 (featuring the head of Liberty essentially as used years later on the 1865 nickel three-cent piece), an interesting quarter dollar (J-188) from an incomplete reverse die, and a $2.50 gold coin with the same Liberty Head as used on J-186 (J-189).

Collecting Perspective

All patterns dated from 1857 range from rare to unobtainable, although with some patience a few representative pieces may be obtained.