1859 Pattern Indian Cent. Judd-228, Pollock-272. Rarity-1. Copper-Nickel. Plain Edge. MS-64 (PCGS).<strong>Obv:</strong> The regular issue design of 1859 with pointed bust. <strong>Rev:</strong> The Oak Wreath with Shield design adopted for regular issue Indian cent production in 1860. A boldly struck and attractive example with iridescent rose-apricot highlights to a base of golden-tan. This is a popular transitional issue, circulation strike survivors of which are almost exclusively in Mint State, as here. This fact suggests that these coins were distributed to collectors, possibly in trade for items to grow the Mint Cabinet collection, although Indian cent specialists have long included Judd-228 as part of the regular issue set. This attractive near-Gem would do nicely in either a pattern collection of advanced set of this popular small cent series.
