Lot 1246
1856 NGC graded Proof AU Details. Improperly cleaned. The key date. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent has been famous almost since its first appearance. Collectors realized immediately that these had a very low mintage (current estimates put it at 1,000 to 1,500 pieces). A century ago one ardent fellow 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 (PCGS # 2037) .
Historic note: The 1856-dated pieces were made to sway congressmen and others of the need for smaller-sized cents to replace the otherwise unwieldy large cents. In 1857 and 1858, the flying eagles were produced in large numbers for circulation, but the ones dated 1856 were meant for collectors and others. Above and beyond the raw number of coins produced, this date has always been a heralded as a rare offering in U.S. numismatics. It has been popular for longer than 150 years.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 7,500.
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| Realized $8,165 |
