1858 1C Large Letters PR(PCGS#2042)

May 2019 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1011

Grade

PR65

Price

14,400

Lot Description

Exceedingly Rare Proof 1858 Flying Eagle Cent Large Letters 1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Snow-PR1. Large Letters, High Leaves Reverse (Style of 1857), Type I. Proof-65 (PCGS). This is a beautiful example of the rare 1858 Large Letters Proof Flying Eagle cent, that should be seen to be fully appreciated. Both sides exhibit gorgeous champagne-pink and apricot highlights to dominant golden-tan patina. The fields are highly reflective and form a splendid backdrop to satiny, fully impressed devices. Carefully preserved and solidly graded as a Gem, there is much to recommend this lovely specimen. According to Rick Snow in the 2014 edition of his Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide: The estimated mintage of 100 [for the Proof 1858 Flying Eagle cent] is derived from the 80 silver sets reportedly sold plus a small mintage of pattern sets, no more than 20. The number of survivors seems to fit these figures, and serve as a reasonable starting point. I would estimate that about 50 examples exist today. Rare and desirable, especially at the Gem Proof level offered here. PCGS# 2042. NGC ID: 227C. Click here for certification details from PCGS.