Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature US Coin Sale 1258 2-6 Aug 2017
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Proof Flying Eagle Cents
1856 1C Snow-9 PR65 NGC. CAC. The rising cost of copper in the 1850s forced the Mint to explore new options for the one cent coin's size and composition. In 1856, a number of copper-nickel pattern cents were struck and delivered to Congress for examination concerning legislation that proposed reducing the size of the coin. The patterns measured only 19 mm in diameter, down from the 27.5 mm of their predecessors, and their weight was only 4.67 grams, which was less than half of what the old large cents weighed (10.89 grams). These Flying Eagle cents, as they are called now, passed muster with Congress and went into mass production in 1857.
However, the 1856-dated pieces proved to be extremely popular with collectors of the period due to the radical change in size and design, and the low mintage. The Mint struck more 1856-dated coins as late as 1860. The grand total production of the 1856-dated issue is unknown, although it remains a scarce and sought-after key date today. This Gem proof example of the Snow-9 die variety was likely struck during the latter production period of 1857-1860. The strike is needle-sharp, and the fields have a hint of reflectivity. Lovely gold, green, and lavender border hues surround warm orange-gold interiors. Eye appeal is outstanding. Census (all varieties included): 35 in 65 (1 in 65 ★), 4 finer. CAC: 19 in 65, 2 finer (6/17).
From The Sun Tzu Collection
HID02901242017
1856 1C Snow-9 PR65 NGC. CAC. The rising cost of copper in the 1850s forced the Mint to explore new options for the one cent coin's size and composition. In 1856, a number of copper-nickel pattern cents were struck and delivered to Congress for examination concerning legislation that proposed reducing the size of the coin. The patterns measured only 19 mm in diameter, down from the 27.5 mm of their predecessors, and their weight was only 4.67 grams, which was less than half of what the old large cents weighed (10.89 grams). These Flying Eagle cents, as they are called now, passed muster with Congress and went into mass production in 1857.
However, the 1856-dated pieces proved to be extremely popular with collectors of the period due to the radical change in size and design, and the low mintage. The Mint struck more 1856-dated coins as late as 1860. The grand total production of the 1856-dated issue is unknown, although it remains a scarce and sought-after key date today. This Gem proof example of the Snow-9 die variety was likely struck during the latter production period of 1857-1860. The strike is needle-sharp, and the fields have a hint of reflectivity. Lovely gold, green, and lavender border hues surround warm orange-gold interiors. Eye appeal is outstanding. Census (all varieties included): 35 in 65 (1 in 65 ★), 4 finer. CAC: 19 in 65, 2 finer (6/17).
From The Sun Tzu Collection
HID02901242017