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1856 ONE CENT - FLYING EAGLE
PCGS Nos: 2013, 2037
Mintage:
Circulation strikes: estimated 750
Proofs: estimated 1,500
Designer: James Barton Longacre (using
Christian Gobrecht's eagle design)
Diameter: ±19 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - ±88%
Nickel - ±12%
Weight: ±72 grains (±4.7 grams)
Edge: Plain
Mintmark: None (all examples of this
date and type were struck at Philadelphia)
Notes:
Following research in the National Archives, Walter Breen published the following distribution
of 1856 Flying Eagle Cents:
264 (or more) to Congressmen
200 to Representative S.D. Campbell
102 to Secretary of the Treasury James Guthrie
62 to Senators
4 to President Franklin Pierce
2 to the Mint Cabinet
Additional pieces were given to dignitaries and others
"Several hundred may have been held in stock in the Mint for later distribution to collectors,
or to trade them for Washington medals for the Mint Cabinet"
Notes:
The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-66's.
The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a
single PR-67. |
Recent appearances:
Heritage Numismatic Auctions November 1999 Santa
Clara Sale (Lot 6300)
PCGS graded Proof 65. Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson
Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 1074, illustrated, where it was described
as follows: "Snow-5. Die pair…This is one of the most visually stunning 1856 Flying Eagle cent
that could possibly exist. A sharp early die state example that is virtually mark free.
Visually, there is no question of this coin's proof status. It has an absolutely full strike
and is of the highest production quality witnessed on any 1856 Flying Eagle. This example is
struck from the Snow 5 die pair, which was first described in 1992 in Rick Snow's book "Flying
Eagle and Indian Cents". Only 10 examples of this die pair have been seen by this author,
perhaps less than 35 examples of this die pair exist in all grades. This die pair is a
marriage of Obverse 2 and Reverse D as described in Snow. It is unlisted in Breen's die list
found in Chapter XV of his Proof Encyclopedia. The obverse die is distinguished by a die chip
at the base of the U in UNITED, called the "Pointed U". The reverse is a commonly encountered
die, which is clearly identifiable by the large raised dot under the upper left serif of the N
in ONE. This is a centering dot used by the engraver to fix one end of a protractor to draw
circles on the unfinished die to center the wreath. The obverse die shows die striations
visible in the field in three different directions. As the coin is rotated, striations in one
direction become visible and then disappear as another set of striations appears. The reverse
die has similar striations. These striations are found on all coins from this die pair. To
the uninitiated, die striations may be confused with hairline scratches. However, hairline
scratches are grade-limiting problems caused by aggressive brushing or wiping of the coin
after it has been struck. Die striations are polishing marks on the die, which are transferred
to each coin until the die wears down enough to obliterate them. They do not affect the
grade. In the past there had been some confusion on the part of the grading services as to
whether coins from this die pair are actually proofs or should be called Mint State because of
the presence of these die striations. The first one identified and written up in Snow was
unquestionably a proof. In the years that followed several more coins of the same die pair
came to light, all exceptionally nice (possibly from the same unidentified source). This
writer has seen coins from this die pair graded MS-63 (2 examples), PR-64, PR-65 (the present
example), and MS-66 (Superior 6/5/2000:1003, $83,375) from PCGS, and a PR-65 from NGC.
Recently PCGS has made it clear that they will only grade the Snow 5 die pair as a proof. The
commonly encountered proof 1856 Flying Eagles (Snow 9 die pair) are also struck using Reverse
D, although in a later die state. These have been shown to be restrikes from the 1858 - 1860 "Snowdon"
restriking period. (See Longacre's Ledger, Vol. 10.2, June, 2000, "Die states of the 1856
Flying Eagle Cent" By Richard Snow). The Snow 5 proofs are from the earliest die states seen
from both dies. There is no way to accurately show exactly when the Snow 5 were struck, except
to say that they were struck before all Snow 9 proof 1856 Flying Eagles, possibly even as
early as 1857. Here is an extremely beautiful 1856 Flying Eagle. One of the finest
possible.", sold for $29,325.00 |
