1856 1C FLY EAGLE

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Jul 28, 1994 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

PCGS 1856 PR 64. The 1856 Flying Eagle cent is one of the true classics in U.S numismatics. It, like the 1909-S VDB, is known to an audience much wider than the collecting fraternity of United States coins. The 1856 cent was widely sought out by both collectors and the general public in the mid-19th century and was saved in relatively large numbers. As a result, many pieces have survived to present day, and quite frankly, like the 1909-S VDB mentioned above, its price cannot be considered low and no one would ever accuse either issue of being underrated. But that is where the mystique of the date comes into play. Simply owning an 1856 Flying Eagle cent is a source of unlimited pride for most collectors. And so it has been for more than a hundred years.
Strictly speaking the 1856 Flying Eagle is a pattern. However, approximately 1,000 pieces were struck and they were rather widely distributed at the time of striking in order to familiarize people (especially government employees and Congressmen) with the small format for the proposed new coin. So, these pieces can be found in all grade ranges down to AG, and they were long ago accepted into the ranks of regular issue coinage. Truly well preserved examples are quite elusive today because so many were kept by non-numismatic people and contact marks as well as carbon spots have taken a heavy toll. This piece shows a muted reddish-brown color around the devices with a medium brown patina having settled over the highpoints of the design as well as the more exposed areas of the fields. A tiny cluster of carbon specks is noted just beneath the eagle's neck, and there is an irregular planchet flaking seen on the reverse between the C and E in CENT. All in all, a lovely, high grade example of this classic American coin.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 227A, PCGS# 2037, GSID# 15311)

Metal: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
Weight: 4.67 grams
Weight: 0.14496oz

View Certification Details from PCGS