Lot 155
1856. NGC graded Proof 66+. Boldly struck on all the devices with nice reflective fields. The entire copper-nickel coin is toned a handsome shade of tan and brown, with no spots or distracting handling issues to be found. A lovely example and this is absolutely one of the finest known of the enormously popular issue. Recall that for years the old style Large Cents had been in circulation (1793-1857) when their size became an issue. The Large cents were big, nearly the width of half dollars, and even thicker! Hence a small group of Large cents would strain the most sturdy pocket, and poke holes in a fine leather satchel when riding across town. People began to complain, these huge cents were simply too big and inconvenient for commerce. The Philadelphia Mint experimented with numerous changes, smaller for sure, but finally a large test was run of these 1856 Flying Eagle cents, the public loved them! For 1856 only 2,500 struck, and these were handed out in quantities to the public who did not care for them by and large like numismatists, they ended up in circulation and being passed around at family and public gatherings as the first of their kind. In 1857 when production was ramped up for this new design, people waited in long lines to obtain them from the Mint and distribution centers. The popularity of the Flying Eagle design was instant. This 1856 Flying Eagle cent is simply amazing, stunning in quality and unsurpassed save for one other at the MS-67 grade level. Pop 1; 1 finer in 67. Estimated Value $45,000 - UP
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