Lot 1028
1856 Flying Eagle S-1 PCGS graded Genuine Proof. Approximately 1,500 struck. Our grade is sharpness of PR45. The surface is somewhat granular which has the tendency to mute the main legends and devices which, however, are wholly present.
Mint designer-engraver James Barton Longacre reworked Gobrecht's famous flying eagle of 1836-9 and placed it on the obverse of America's newly introduced Small Cents. These were first given the name "white cents" by the public and must have been strikingly brilliant and silvery when new compared to the old red Large Cents then being withdrawn. For the reverse Longacre adapted his first wreath of cereals design first used on Gold Dollars and Three-dollar Gold pieces but differing from the wreath used on half dimes and dimes of the period. Together, these borrowings combine to give us one of our nation's most distinctive and attractive coin designs. It is unfortunate the Flying Eagle had to be retired so early. Unfortunate, that is, for lovers of artistic coinage; but fortunate for today's avid coin buyers.
The first flying eagle motif was used to make at least two master dies, one with Style of 1856 letters used for all 1856 cents and some early 1857 cents; and the Style of 1857 letters used to make most 1857 and about half of the 1858 cents. This first flying eagle motif had smoothed feathers at the top of the neck, as here, a complete circle or ring around the eye, and a few other features differing from the other style.
Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,000.
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