Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 20

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

Flying Eagle Cents

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1040		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 50. The key date to this short-lived series! Lightly toned over clean, crisp surfaces. The coin actually looks much nicer than the grade would indicate. Apart from some trivial friction on the high points, there is a small hit on the ear of corn on the left side of the wreath. Always in strong demand because of its tiny mintage and the all-important date. The 1856 Flying Eagle was the first design of the Small Cent denomination, an innovative experiment to produce a smaller, less expensive coin than the bulky, costly Large Cents. For the first time, at least as far as coins were concerned, the government was asking the public to accept as money coins that did not contain their full value in metal. The experiment worked and the Small Cent lives on today! (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,625
Lot 1041		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 25. Snow-9. This is a very desirable coin in any condition. This coin has seen considerable circulation. There is a scattering of light marks on both sides and a light scratch from the E in STATES to the center of the Eagle's left wing. The coin is toned a chocolate brown color, similar in look to a bronze coin. All in all, this is an attractive coin and will be a fine addition to a circulated set (PCGS # 2037) . The 1856 was not struck for distribution in general circulation. This die pair was undoubtedly struck for sale to the growing number of collectors who were besieging the Mint at the time for a copy of the new nickel cent of 1856. Specimens were initially released through private Government channels to Congress and other notable friends of the Mint. As these started to receive higher and higher offers in the auctions where they appeared, the Mint decided to get in on the deal and started selling additional specimens to collectors. The Snow-9 die pair is identified by the center dot on the reverse just below the upper left serif of the N in CENT. One has to wonder why any 1856 Flying Eagle cent got into circulation. I suppose that the Mint struck upwards of 1500 specimens for sale to collectors and by the time of the Civil War coinage shortage still had a number, maybe as many as 500, pieces still on hand. Perhaps these were mistakenly dispersed into circulation with any number of other non-circulation strikes, like 1858 pattern cents, by mistake during the war. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $7,188
Lot 1042		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. NGC graded MS-65. Snow-14. Double die obverse. This is an extremely well struck example of this date. The obverse shows no design weakness at all. The reverse wreath shows only a slight lack of detail on the upper right quadrant. The surfaces are highly lustrous with an attractive gold and rose colored toning. The doubled die feature is rather minor, but visible on the Eagle's eye and most of the letters of the legend. A rough area of the die by "ED S" in the legend is a pick-up point for this variety. Estimated Value $2,750 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 1043		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. MS-63. Well struck and lustrous, expertly retoned and quite attractive. Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 1044		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Large letters. PCGS graded MS-65. Gem uncirculated example of this short lived series. This coin has a super brilliant obverse which is much nicer than the typically encountered MS-65. The reverse, however is slightly muted and has a few scattered carbon flecks which are visible under magnification (PCGS # 2019) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,875
Lot 1045		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small letters. NGC graded MS-64. Very well struck and flashy. A few small ticks and carbon flecks are noted for accuracy. A choice example of this three year type. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 1046		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small letters. MS-63. Well struck and lustrous, light natural tan toning. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 1047		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. 8 over 7. PCGS graded AU-55. Eagle Eye Photo Seal. Early die state of this popular variety with the upper corner of the 7 visible. Well struck with only slight weakness noted on the right side of the wreath, which is typical for this issue. In fact, nearly all examples of this variety show weakness on the Eagle's tail and corresponding wreath on the reverse. Only a light scratch is noticeable on this otherwise problem free coin (PCGS # 2022) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668