Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

Flying Eagle Cents

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 914		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. . Snow 3. PCGS graded Proof 64. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent has long been a favorite of collectors. In fact it was partly responsible for jump-starting coin collecting in America in the late 1850's. Starting in 1857, the general population began to put away and make date sets of the old coppers that were being replaced by the new nickel cent with the popular Flying Eagle design. Adding to the excitement of the time were rumors of a rare nickel cent dated 1856 that was given out to President Franklin Pierce, and various Government dignitaries. If you wanted one you had to look long and hard to find one or pay up big-time! By 1858 they were fetching $2.00 at auction. This was similar to about a weekly wage for many people! You could think of this as akin to collectors buying 2004 dated coins for about $500 today! It was unknown then and is unknown today how many were actually made. These were struck as patterns and there was no reason to officially account for them. From transmittal letters researched by Walter Breen, we know that at least 634 pieces were struck and distributed to the President, the Treasury Secretary and members of Congress. There were also pieces struck for internal use, so the original mintage could be as high as 700. When these were struck there were many questions that needed to be answered. The Mint had its questions: Would the hard nickel alloy strike up easily? How fast would the dies wear? Would the presses be able to strike them quick enough? The Congress had questions too: Would the look and feel of the new coins gain acceptance? Would it be better to just reduce the size of the copper Cent? In early 1857, exactly 150 years ago, Congress was debating the Mint bill, which would authorize the new coin, but there was also a competing bill that called for a small-size copper cent and also took all decision powers away from the Mint and placed it with the Congress. Mint Director James Snowden could not let this competing bill get passed, so to push for the nickel cent Bill and to answer the other questions, he had the 1856 Flying Eagle Cents struck. In order to test the presses with the new size and metal, the coins were struck using conditions that simulated regular production methods. These are the business strike 1856 cents. By 1858 the novelty and rarity of the 1856 Flying Eagle was established and the Director of the Mint, James Snowden saw an opportunity to make some money on the side. He decided to strike over 1,000 additional pieces of the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent and sell them to the collecting public. These were struck in Proof format, as that was what was desired by collectors of the day. It is unknown from any contemporary documents what price the Mint was selling the new Proof pieces for, but auction records in 1859 drop to about 25¢ for the coins. Prices did not recover until after the Civil War. The majority of the original 1856 Flying Eagles struck are of the Snow-3 die pair and the Proof restrikes are known to be from the Snow-9 die pair. We know this through research by Richard Snow who put together a chronological die marriage list of all the 1856 die pairs known. The Snow-3 die pair corresponded in both quantity and chronologically in the die marriage list to the original distribution reported by Walter Breen. The overall quality of the Snow-3 die pairs seen also indicate a business strike production using polished dies. The Snow-9 corresponded to the quantity and quality associated with Proof restrikes. In Snow's book, Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide 1856-1858, he states: "Nearly all examples show non-proof qualities such as weak breast feathers on the obverse and rounded edges on the reverse devices, usually on the cotton leaves." Sharp repunching on the 5 to the southwest identifies the Snow-3 die pair. A later die state listed by Snow, Die Statge C, shows a small die scratch under the 1 in the date. This is due to a repolishing of the dies. The present coin is one of these Snow-3 die pairs and in the later, polished die state. It is from the original striking period and going by Snow's research, it is most likely a Mint State coin struck from highly polished dies. The strike is full and while there is certain roundness to the edges as described by Snow, the overall look is that of a Proof, which is the format designation that PCGS gave this coin. This piece shows outstanding eye appeal and a bright nickel color with a slight golden peripheral toning. The reverse is similar with a light golden tone in the center of the wreath. A few insignificant lint strike-throughs are present to the right of the date and below the Eagle's breast. These are caused when lint from a rag gets caught on the planchet or die prior to striking. It does not detract from the beauty or the grade of the coin. In a strong light a few wispy hairlines can be seen, but these are appropriate for the grade. Here is your chance to own an outstanding 1856 Flying Eagle cent from the original mintage. It is also one of the centerpieces of the "Chiro" collection. Pop 177; 52 finer; 47 in 65; 4 in 66; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 22,000. Ex:The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $20,413
Lot 915		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. Nicely toned with a nice bold strike. 2,000 coins struck. Snow-9. Examples of this die marriage are the most frequently encountered 1856 Flying Eagle Cents in today's hobby. Writing in 2001, Snow averred that coins of this die marriage were probably produced from late 1857 through 1860. The needle sharp striking definition and broad rims confirm the Proof status of this tan-brown to reddish specimen. The surfaces are essentially blemish-free with the look of a Gem grade. Pop 178; 52 finer; 47 in 65; 4 in 66; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 916		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. PCGS holder 22103727. Well struck with reddish-brown and lighter golden red highlights. Examples of Snow-9 Proofs often have dull or non-existent mirrors in the fields. This piece, however, revels in deeply mirrored originality while the rims are strongly defined, leaving no question about its coin's Proof origin. Historians believed that perhaps as many as 2,000 pieces were struck from this die pairing with some 1,500 examples in collectors' hands today, a fairly accurate sum. Curiously, a significant number (probably around 300 pieces) of this variety are found with some degree of circulation wear as though they were spent or (more likely) put into circulation by the government. Snow theorizes that the sale of 1856 Flying Eagle cents languished when the Civil War began, and the remaining supply in the Mint may have been released into circulation. Pop 178; 52 finer; 47 in 65; 4 in 66; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $18,400
Lot 917		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 64. PCGS holder 50186693. Well struck with semi reflective surfaces. Golden-tan in color. One of several outstanding 1856 Snow-9 Proofs in this sale, the surfaces display rich tan and steel-brown colors on the obverse that yield to medium brown shades on the reverse surrounded by the same deeper hues at the margin. This has a well-defined strike, including all feathers on the eagle, all leaves in the wreath of the reverse. This coin would make an attractive addition to a high quality Flying Eagle and Indian Small Cent collection, or it would more than satisfy a well-heeled collector's desire to own an historically significant rarity that has taken on legendary status in the field of American numismatics. We have already referenced "Peter" the mint eagle elsewhere. 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 later 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. The flying eagle wreath is the first design of a cereal wreath created by the Mint's chief engraver, 1844-69. Pop 178; 52 finer: 47 in 65; 4 in 66; 1 in 67 (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $17,825
Lot 918		Withdrawn Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 919		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded Proof 63. PCGS holder 21486719. Nice bold strike. Pleasing medium tan in color. One of several nice examples of Proof 1856 cents that we are offering in this sale, this coin displays mostly even, tan colored surfaces. A few sprays of olive-brown verdigris are also seen. The obverse is free of singularly distracting blemishes, although there is a small flake in the metal below the first A in AMERICA. The reverse field exhibits a few stain areas, as pictured, and one or two small spots at the rim. Boldly struck (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $13,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 920		1856 Flying Eagle Cent. . -PCGS graded PR40. A pleasing example of this key date issue with the wear evenly distributed. Struck as a Proof but then found its way into circulation, all of the major elements of the design show nicely, with choice rims, no digs or dents, and pleasing light copper-nickel "tan" color. The foremost date in the Flying Eagle and Indian Cent series of small cents, always in great demand from collectors (PCGS # 2037) . Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,560
Lot 921		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. PCGS graded MS-65. Simply outstanding! This coin has a full strike and breathtaking eye appeal. It is a gem in every respect. The color is an even light nickel color with just a light contact marks above the Eagle's left wing. The reverse is nearly mark free. Here is a superb coin for an outstanding collection. Pop 166; 15 finer in 66. (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 3,000. Ex:The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,450
Lot 922		1857 Flying Eagle Cent. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck and lightly toned. Fresh satin finish, sparkling around the devices as when first issued but with more diffused natural toning in the open areas on both side. Difficult to find now as fewer are offered for sale then in years gone by (PCGS # 2016) . Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 923		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Large letters. PCGS graded MS-65. This is a gem prooflike issue of this beautiful coin design. The detail is full with a partial wire edge visible where the plastic holder allows observation of the rim area. This shows that extraordinary striking pressure was used to strike this piece. A few very light and scattered marks are visible to either side of the date, but these seem to be planchet marks that were not struck out. The surfaces are mirrored and look at first glance like a medium mirrored Proof. In 1858 two different style reverses were used. The High leaves type is the design from 1857 with the leaves inside the wreath by the C & T in CENT rather high. To improve die wear, the relief of the wreath was lowered mid-year, creating what we call the Low Leaves design. Both the Large Letter and Small Letter obverses are found paired with each reverse. Presently few collectors are collecting all four die combinations. Pop 148; 27 finer; 26 in 66; 1 in 67. (PCGS # 2019) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 3,000. Ex:The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,463
Lot 924		1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small letters. PCGS graded MS-64. Here is a very attractive semi-prooflike example of this one-year type coin. The strike is essentially full with only a slight weakness on the top right cotton leaves. The obverse shows a few trivial spots and marks which accounts for the grade. The reverse shows some light hairlines, but this is also accounted for in the grade. A light golden toning is present on both sides.Pop 176; 54 finer; 47 in 65; 7 in 66. (PCGS # 2020) . Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. Ex:The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,495
Lot 925		1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent. . Snow-1. PCGS graded MS-63. This is a popular and rarely encountered overdate. The quality is outstanding for the grade. It is important to note that the 7 on this example is very bold. There is no mistaking it or questioning its presence. This issue is typically weak on the Eagle's tail and corresponding area on the upper right wreath. This example is no different but the strike is about as well struck as this issue ever comes. The surfaces are quite nice for the grade with only a few light marks, notably on the left wing and in the field to the right of the Eagle. There is a debris strike-through by the Eagle's left wing. The overdate feature is very sharp and the diagnostic die ship above the date is triangular in shape. This is actually a corner of a 1-digit punch! The broken wing tip is considered a diagnostic for this variety as well, but it is a hub variety and is found on some other dies dated 1857 and 1858. This is a great coin and worthy of a very strong bid. Pop 16; 26 in 64; 5 in 65. (PCGS # 2022) . Estimated Value $7,500 - 8,000. Ex:The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,075