1856 1C Flying Eagle MS(PCGS#2013)

June 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1317

等级

MS61

价格

137,699

详细说明

An attractive and desirable example of this perennially popular date in the United States Mint's small cent series. This is a sharply struck coin, typical of the issue, with crisp delineation to the eagle's plumage and the details in the wreath on the reverse. Dominant tan-gold patina to both sides, we also note wisps of powder blue and pale pink that further enhance already strong eye appeal. Indeed, this coin presents exceptionally well at the assigned numeric grade level, the surfaces free of spots and large marks with only faint hairlines that minimally detract. The fields are appreciably reflective and support softly frosted motifs.<p>A historically significant issue, the first year Flying Eagle cent was initially prepared as a pattern in late 1856 and early 1857 to illustrate the new small size cent in copper-nickel composition, which was envisioned as a replacement for the costly (to produce) large copper cents first struck in 1793. Later in 1857, and continuing through at least early 1860, the Mint struck additional examples. The later strikings were initially meant for distribution to Congressional leaders, Mint personnel and others in government posts, but by 1859, if not as early as 1858, Mint Director Colonel James Ross Snowden was striking 1856 Flying Eagle cents expressly for distribution to contemporary collectors who had become fascinated with the nation's first copper-nickel cent. According to Rick Snow (<em>A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents</em>, 2006), the 1856 Flying Eagle cent had become so popular during the late 1850s that prices soon reached $2 per coin, sparking the nation's first coin collecting boom.<p>With most 1856 Flying Eagle cents encountered in today's market struck from the Snow-9 die pairing, the present example is a noteworthy rarity due to the Snow-4 attribution. This variety combines the Pointed U obverse with the distinctive Low Leaves reverse. The latter is significant for, since it was also used to strike Proof 1858 Small Letters Flying Eagle cents of the Snow-PR2 variety, it suggests that 1856 Snow-4 coins were struck at the same time, or in other words during 1858. Given the rarity of this die marriage - Rick Snow (<em>The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide, 3rd Edition, Volume 1: 1856-1877</em>, 2014) has traced only 10 specimens - it is likely that this is one of the earlier restrikes of the 1856 that the Mint prepared for Congressional leaders and others in government posts.<p>The elusiveness of examples in today's market is such that this is only the second example of the Snow-4 die pairing that we have offered since 2013. The first was a specimen certified Proof-61 by PCGS and verified by CAC that brought $12,600 in our October 2018 Baltimore Auction, lot 2025. (Over the years the third-party certification services have been inconsistent in their designation of several die marriages of the 1856 Flying Eagle cent as "circulation strikes" or Proofs, hence the debatable Mint State designation of this pieces in its Generation 3.0 PCGS slab.) Clearly our offering of this piece is an important find and fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced Flying Eagle cent enthusiast.