Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 37

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Flying Eagle Cents

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1016		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. NGC graded Proof 64. Lovely toning on both sides. Popular key date. Approximately 2,000 coins struck. Pop 119; 30 finer. Sparkling golden brown iridescence permeates this satiny beauty of this key date Flying Eagle cent with a life of its own. Add a sky-scraping level of mint originality, plus some absolutely gorgeous rose and pale blue iridescence on the eagle, and the appeal is very tempting. If you were expecting the design left by the dies to be deficient in robustness on this 1856 Proof (and it sometimes is, but on lesser coins), take heart, since this is an exceptional specimen, a mighty bold impression on Peter the flying eagle, and not the usual run-of-the-mill strike. It is, indeed, heart-stopping. Peter would fluff out his feathers with justifiable pride. Okay, hopefully we've whet your appetite to learn further after that last remark. This is the story of "Peter," drawn from an article in the American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 27, 1893, p. 85: "On the dollars of 1836, 1838 and 1839, and the nickel cent coins in 1856 is the portrait of an American eagle which was for many years a familiar sight in the streets of Philadelphia. "Peter," one of the finest eagles ever captured alive, was the pet of the Philadelphia Mint, and was generally known as the "Mint bird." Not only did he have free access to every part of the Mint, going without hindrance into the treasure vaults where even the treasurer of the United States would not go alone, but he used his own pleasure in going about the city, flying over the houses, sometimes perching upon lamp posts in the streets. Everybody knew him, and even the street boys treated him with respect. "The government provided his daily fare, and he was as much a part of the Mint establishment as the superintendent or the chief coiner. He was kindly treated and had no fear of anybody or anything, and he might be in the Mint yet if he had not sat down to rest upon one of the great flywheels. The wheel started without warning, and Peter was caught in the machinery. One of his wings was broken, and he died a few days later. The superintendent had his body beautifully mounted, with his wings spread to their fullest extent; and to this day Peter stands in a glass case in the Mint cabinet. A portrait of him as he stands in the case was put upon the coins named. "In stuffed form Peter was exhibited widely including at the Treasury exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Today the bird is on view in the lobby of the Philadelphia Mint on Independence Square." (Enter this web link in your browser to see Peter as he looks today: http://www.ushistory.org/oddities/peter.htm). Estimated Value $17,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $19,550
Lot 1017		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. Well struck and nicely toned. Satiny surfaces with finely textured motifs plus gorgeous toning. The obverse is a colorful palette of shades which the photograph nicely captures, while the reverse exhibits sheen of faint deep coppery rose and silvery blue iridescence. There is no need to beat around the bush, the 1856 is by far the most talked about of all small cent rarities, certainly an issue whose fame is widespread due to generations of publicity in the coin press. An attractive Proof 64 1856 Flying Eagle cent doesn't come around often; nor can it be had cheaply in today's lively bazaar of rarities, but on the other hand, they never have. Pop 172; 50 finer. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $17,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $19,838
Lot 1018		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. Nicely toned. The 1856 Flying Eagle coinage was struck in both business strike format (intended for circulation) and Proof (offered to coin collectors). It seems that many were not handled carefully, but the present Proof 64 is ideally suited for the numismatist with a critical eye. There is nothing to censure here. Everything is natural and bold, from the toning to the luster, the way the eagle is struck to the finest detail in the leaves of the wreath. The handsome Longacre first "cereal wreath" which is used on the flying eagle cents, the gold dollars (type 2 and 3) as well as the $3 gold pieces, is comprised of corn, wheat, cotton and tobacco. His second wreath, used on numerous pattern coins as well as the half dimes and dimes during his tenure in office, is comprised of cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, corn, wheat and oak leaves. This is the first design of a cereal wreath created by the Mint's chief engraver, 1844-69. Razor sharp Proofs are not rare by any means, but combined with the consistent high quality and firm beauty of the coin offered in this lot, a stronger than average bid is in order. Pop 172; 50 finer. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $17,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,400
Lot 1019		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. A bold strike. Nicely toned. Many Proof examples of have dull or washed out mirrors in the fields. This piece, however, is nicely reflective while and the rims, which we haven't referred to before this, are strongly defined, leaving no question about this coin's Proof status. It is believed that perhaps as many as 2,000 pieces were struck from this die pairing with some 1,500 examples believed extant today. Many went into circulation, a significant number (probably around 300 pieces) of this variety are found with some degree of circulation. Snow theorizes that the sale of 1856 Flying Eagles stagnated after the outset of the Civil War, and the remaining supply at the Mint may have been unaccountably released into circulation. Pop 172; 50 finer. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $17,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,400
Lot 1020		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 63 PQ. The key date to the small cent series. Approximately 2,000 struck. A well struck example and very choice for the grade, thus our Premium Quality designation. The surfaces are reddish-brown with golden highlights. The eagle's breast feathers are all complete. Its wings are finely detailed. There is an eye; a complete beak and claws; exactly what is expected from a well-made Proof. When it comes to the reverse, this has James Longacre's first "wreath of cereals." Pop 138 (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1021		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 63 PQ. Popular key date cent. In the mid 1830s, artist Titian Peale, son of artist and museum proprietor Charles Willson Peale, was asked by Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson to create drawings of a "lifelike" flying eagle motif for use on coinage, a departure from the perched and heraldic eagles in use for many years. Whether Peter, the mint's eagle, was actually the model for Peale and Gobrecht (and later, Longacre) may never be known with certainty, but it may have been this bird. Peale's flying eagle appears on the Gobrecht 1836-39 silver dollars. In a nod to that artist, James Longacre, when he came to design this Flying Eagle for the cent, chose the Peale/Gobrecht/"Peter" eagle to depict on the obverse. This is a lustrous golden purple-brown specimen which has grand overall eye appeal. The razor-sharp strike complements this eye-appeal and, some might say, adds immeasurably to the appearance (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,963
Lot 1022		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 63. Nice bold strike. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent has been famous almost since first. But for most collectors, they realized too late after many had reached circulation. Only then did the fact become known that these had a very low mintage (current estimates put it at 2,000 pieces). Years ago one ardent numismatic colleague cornered a group of 756 pieces! Remember, however, this was during a time when there were fewer collectors than coins. That long-ago hoard was distributed; meanwhile, the collecting fraternity blossomed like a field of springtime flowers. Concerning the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent offered in this lot, the coin possesses a worldly dose of warmly toned luster. The toning enlivens the broad expanse of smooth surface. The fields are essentially very choice, while the strike is bold enough to warrant special mention (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,100
Lot 1023		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. CHOICE PROOF 1856 FLYING EAGLE CENT. PCGS graded Proof 63. Popular key date. Lightly toned on both sides. One of several attractive 1856 Cents in this sale, the surfaces display pleasing tan and reddish brown colors on the obverse that yield to medium brown shades on the reverse. There is not a single ill-defined feature, this in light of the fact that some 1856 flying eagle cents are struck on defective planchets. This coin would make an historic addition to a high quality small cent collection, or it would could, if so desired, satisfy someone's childhood memory to own a representative of this traditional rarity and much talked about date, the most significant flying eagle cent of all. An air of authority seems to surround owners of 1856 Flying Eagle cents, now why would that be? 2,000 coins struck (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $15,525
Lot 1024		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-63. Old green holder. Scarce in mint state. Very attractive deep golden brown to copper-tan with appreciable cartwheel luster on the satiny surfaces. A boldly made example of what is surely the most illustrious 19th century small cent issue of them all. There are few collectors today (or in the past for that matter) who have not dreamt of owning an 1856 flying eagle cent, since its rarity is legendary in American numismatics. According to some observations made by columnist and numismatic researcher Bowers in 2005, "The 2006 Guide Book reports an original mintage for this issue of 2,000 coins. This figure represents an increase over the mintage quoted for this delivery in earlier issues of the Redbook. The 'change' in mintage figures for this issue is almost certainly due to research done by Rick Snow, as presented in the multi-volume second edition of the book The Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide. In the volume on Flying Eagle Cents, the author opines that 650-850 examples of this issue were delivered in 1856 and early 1857, followed by a further 1,000-1,500 pieces from 1857 through 1860." Pop 44; 50 finer. (PCGS # 2013) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $19,550
Lot 1025		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-63. Scarce in mint state. Lightly toned. This is perhaps the most desirable grade quality of the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent in that it balances choice quality with affordability. Approximately 700 examples were delivered in 1856 and early 1857 according to Snow. In addition to testing the new coin on a press run, these pieces probably constituted all of the 634 1856 Flying Eagle Cents distributed to Congressmen during the period of debate for what would eventually become the Act of February 21, 1857. This mostly honey-tan representative is free of bothersome handling marks. Carefully preserved with only a few wispy flecks and some isolated striking softness, the coin has what it takes to attract many bidders to the sale. Pop 44; 50 finer. (PCGS # 2013) . Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1026		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-62. Nicely toned. Popular key date. An almost incandescent and sparkling flying eagle cent whose legendary date, 1-8-5-6 has elicited gasps of awe and sighs of reverence from generations of numismatists. This is a marvelous specimen whose satiny beauty comes with fully defined design features plus a torrent of varying golden hues on both sides. There is a distinguishing toning spot on the left wing just below its folded over tip, and an area of minor discoloration on the lower left side of the wreath below C of CENT, but barring these two, the quality is very choice, with razor-sharp design elements. 2,000 coins minted. Pop 36; 94 finer. (PCGS # 2013) . On the dollars of 1836, 1838 and 1839, and the nickel cent coins in 1856 is the portrait of an American eagle which was for many years a familiar sight in the streets of Philadelphia. "Peter," one of the finest eagles ever captured alive, was the pet of the Philadelphia Mint, and was generally known as the "Mint bird." Not only did he have free access to every part of the Mint, going without hindrance into the treasure vaults where even the treasurer of the United States would not go alone, but he used his own pleasure in going about the city, flying over the houses, sometimes perching upon lamp posts in the streets. Everybody knew him, and even the street boys treated him with respect. Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $17,250
Lot 1027		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-65. Nice well struck coin. Rich copper-red and tan color with light toning. A feature-packed Gem that has gleaming fields. Pop 166; 15 finer in 66. (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,400. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,760
Lot 1028		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-64. Toned. Attractive tan with coppery red luster that resonates off of the surface of this choice example. Nearly fully struck, with just the faintest touch of weakness at the bow and lower ribbon on the reverse. Spot-free and desirable as a short-lived Type. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the famous American sculptor of the late-19th and early 20th centuries, when creating his gold models for the gold coinage of 1907, thought that this flying eagle cent of Longacre's was the standard with which to copy for his $20 gold piece reverse, so much did he admire the magnificent proportions and realism of the eagle (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1029		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-64. A mice well struck coin. A glowing deep-red and tan color is emitted from choice, spotfree and undisturbed original surfaces. An attractive example of the desirable flying eagle cent (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,150
Lot 1030		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck and well toned with strong relief on the wings, chest feathers, and tail (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. The Greenhill Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $978
Lot 1031		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. NGC graded MS-64. A fully struck example with medium brown color. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. The Greenhill Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,006
Lot 1032		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Large letters. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck. Medium tone color. A sparklingly fresh Flying Eagle cent with rich golden iridescence on both sides from the copper-nickel alloy that is unique to this series of cents (1856-64). The handsome design on these was by James B. Longacre who adapted the eagle from Gobrecht's earlier silver dollar of 1836-39. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. The Greenhill Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208