1855 1C Slanted 55, BN (Regular Strike)

1855 Large Cents come with two different date styles -- one has slanted 5's and the other has upright 5's. In all of the years preceding 1855, the 5's had some degree of slant, though perhaps not to the degree as seen on the 1855's. Both Slanted and Upright 5's are found on 1856 Large Cents, then the issue is settled with the 1857, which has Upright 5's only. The end of the Large Cent denomination after 1857 sealed their fate.

According to the PCGS Population Report (as of April 2012), the Upright 5s variety is the more common of the two, though hundreds have been certified of each. No 1855 Large Cent (of either type) has earned a grade better than MS-66, and that includes all color variations. Amazingly, a handful of Full Red Gem examples have survived to satisfy and excite collectors. The 1855 Slanted 55 is very rare in Gem condition, with very low populations in PCGS MS65BN and RB, and only a couple in PCGS MS65RD. Red-Brown examples are very scarce and full Red examples are exceedingly rare.