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Lot 1075
1857. PCGS graded Proof 65. The example offered here shows a beautiful frosty Eagle over a deep mirror field. The black and white contrast gives this coin the look of an Eagle flying in clear moonless night sky. Proof Flying Eagle Cents are as beautiful as they are rare. The present example displays very few impairments. What initially may be thought to be hairline scratches are actually die polishing marks, which do not limit the grade. The reverse fields are equally deep mirrored. There are a few light hairlines and some flyspecking visible under magnification, but do not appreciably detract from the overall beauty of this piece. Presently only 8 examples are graded by PCGS in this grade with none higher.
Here is a real rarity in the proof cent series. An estimated 50 examples survive from 3 die pairs. The Red Book estimated mintage of 485 is either not based in fact or over 400 examples of this issue were destroyed or lost. Breen lists this issue as "less than 12 traced" and gives no estimated mintage. This estimate is a bit low, as Breen was only counting examples from one die pair, identified by the prominent die line which connects the I in UNITED to the denticles. The present coin is from that die pair. Rick Snow's "Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide" lists the die pair as PR-1. There are 3 die pairs known on this proof issue, however one of these (PR-3) also shows up on business strike issues, making attribution by die diagnostics alone tricky. The PR-1 die pair, offered here, and the PR-2 die pair come with their own credentials as no question proofs.
"Snow" variety can be found in Richard Snow's 1992 book, "Flying Eagle and Indian Cents", now out of print. A greatly expanded edition of the variety listing with additional "PR" proof die numbers is currently being issued in a 6 volume set, "The Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide". These can be ordered through Eagle Eye Rare Coins, P.O. Box 65645, Tucson, AZ 85728, or at WWW.INDIANCENT.COM.
Estimated Value $22,500-UP.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.
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| Realized $27,600 |
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