1857 1C Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)
Series: Flying Eagle Cents 1856-1858
PCGS MS66+
PCGS MS66+
PCGS MS66
- PCGS #:
- 2016
- Designer:
- James Barton Longacre
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 19.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 4.70 grams
- Mintage:
- 17,450,000
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
- Auction Record:
- $32,200 • MS66 • 01-05-2006 • Heritage Auctions
Die Varieties
- 1857 1C Obverse of 1856, FS-401a
- 1857 1C Obverse of 1856, FS-401a, PL
- 1857 1C Obverse of 1856, FS-401b
- 1857 1C RPD FS-301 S-11 (001.5)
- 1857 1C Obv. Clash w/ 50C, FS-402, S-9 Flying Eagle
- 1857 1C Obv. Die Clash w/ $20, FS-403
- 1857 1C Rev. Die Clash w/ 25C, S-8
- 1857 1C DDO FS-101, S-4 Flying Eagle
- 1857 1C DDO FS-102, Snow-15
- 1857 1C DDO & RPD FS-103, S-10 Flying Eagle
- 1857 1C DDO FS-104 S-5 (002.8)
- 1857 1C DDO FS-105, S-3
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 12,000 |
| 60 or Better | 4,000 |
| 65 or Better | 300 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-2.9 |
| 60 or Better | R-4.2 |
| 65 or Better | R-6.4 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 5 / 5 |
| 60 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| 65 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 5 / 5 |
| 60 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| 65 or Better | 5 / 5 |
Condition Census What Is This?
#1 MS66 PCGS grade
Tom & Jean Fore Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5232, $18,800 |
|
#1 MS66 PCGS grade
Wright Collection |
#1 MS66 PCGS grade
|
#1 MS66 PCGS grade
|
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
In 1857, the U.S. Mint produced two different Cents: the old-style Large Cent and a new, smaller cent with an eagle flying left across the obverse. One of the motivating factors for the creation of the new "Small" Cent was the high price of copper. Each new Small Cent required less than half the amount of copper than the Large Cent, yielding significant savings for the U.S. Treasury.
To introduce the new design, the Mint produced a then-record high 17,450,000 Flying Eagle Cents, making it the first Cent with a mintage over 10 million coins. Because of public and collector interest, large quantities were saved, making it very easy to find an example today. Mint State examples are quite common and are usually seen in MS-64 (and to a lesser degree in MS-63). Gems are only slightly scarce, but in MS-66 the population drops precipitously. As of July 2011, none have been graded finer then MS-66 by PCGS.