1858 1C Small Letters PR65 认证号58619546, PCGS号2043

1858 (Small Letters) 1C PR65 PCGS CAC EEPS, PR3 Die Variety. Provenance: Ex Screaming Eagles and Bob Travis. This 1858 Flying Eagle cent, graded PR65 with a CAC endorsement, is an exceptional example of a rare proof issue, with only an estimated 200 minted. Identifying a genuine proof strike can be challenging due to the existence of proof-like mint state coins. The obverse die is identified as Obv. 2 by its unique diagnostic feature: a "broken U hub" where the inner serif of the "U" in "UNITED" is missing. Obv 2 is combined with reverse die, T3-B, on the PR3 die pair, but in this case, the reverse die is T3-A (also used on PR2) as determined by a diagonal die line in denticles below the right ribbon end (T3-B is further eliminated as a possibility since the ribbon end is not connected to the denticles). Since T3-A is also used on PR2, some collectors have incorrectly identified their coins as PR2, apparently based upon diagnostics for the T3-A reverse die. But, actually the combination of Obv. 2 with T3-A is what was used to strike the PT9 of the 12-piece pattern set, which were clearly struck as Proofs. But, still one has to be careful, since some such examples have weak strike and are thus not considered Proofs. In this case, the strike is not weak at all. Further evidence it is a Proof is that it was Photo Sealed by numismatic expert, Rick Snow. Although not officially designated a Cameo (CAM), it exhibits strong contrast and eye appeal, with deep, reflective fields and frosted devices that rival many certified Cameo examples. Among all CAC-endorsed coins of this variety, this piece is one of only six graded PR65, with just five coins graded higher (1 PR65CAM, 3 PR66, and 1 PR66CAM).

Jaime Hernandez

A very scarce issue with a mintage of about 100 total coins originally struck. The 1858 Small Letters variety seems to be a bit more available than its Large Letters counterpart. Regardless, it is still a very scarce issue struck in four different known die marriages with approximately 60 total examples surviving for the Small Letters variety.