J-164 (1854 Bronze Two-Leaf LFE)

This pattern represents James Barton Longacre's first attempt at a small cent design.  
Longacre's efforts would culminate with J-180, the 1856 Flying Eagle cent.  Though
the J-163/J-164 was nearly the size of a large cent, it was one step toward a smaller,
lighter coin to replace the large cent.  A smaller cent would be less expensive to
produce, and would thereby increase Mint profits.  It is not at all uncommon to find a
J-164 with a rotated and doublestruck "ONE CENT" such as the ones pictured above
and below.  The coin pictured above was subjected to SEM-EDX (non-invasive)
testing and confirmed to be bronze.  The coin pictured below has not yet been tested,
but clearly shows dramatic doubling.  That picture is presented courtesy of Bob
Shippee.
J-164 (Bronze)
Rick Kay Rare Coins/Patterncoins.com