1056

1855 Large Flying Eagle cent. J-170. J-196. S-PT1b-2. R-7. PR64 PCGS (PS), OGH. Choice Proof (9: 4,3

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
1855 Large Flying Eagle cent. J-170. J-196. S-PT1b-2. R-7. PR64 PCGS (PS), OGH. Choice Proof (9: 4,3
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This item SOLD at 2017 Mar 10 @ 01:44UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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1855 Large Flying Eagle cent. J-170. J-196. S-PT1b-2. R-7. PR64 PCGS (PS), OGH. Choice Proof (9: 4,3,2). Copper-nickel, 20% Ni, 80% Cu. Four Leaves under E in STATES.
Overall the copper-nickel issue of this design is a R6, with around 30 examples known. This meager emission is divided into examples that are 40% nickel (J-171), 20% nickel, (J-170) and 10% nickel (J-170a). These are not easily distinguished except that the examples with more nickel are usually weakly struck. The 20% nickel examples, of which one is offered here, constitutes about half of the copper-nickel pieces made. The die state on this and all the copper-nickel examples are from the die state described in Snow as Die Stage B/B, with die clashes on both dies.
This example was graded over 20 years ago and was the finest graded example when it was graded. It is now tied for finest graded with one other piece. It has good mirrors and very few marks. The strike is slightly weak on the left side of the date and eagle’s talons as well as the corresponding area on the reverse. This is typical for this issue and all examples seen have this same strike issue.
Historically, this is important as it shows the Mint experimenting with alloys of copper-nickel that would replace the copper large cent the following year. They hadn’t yet decided on a smaller cent, but the various alloys of nickel were clearly on their mind. As such, this is a very important pattern cent.

PCGS Coin Facts