1857 1C Small Date, BN (Proof)

Series: Coronet Head Cents 1817-1857

PCGS PR66+BN

View More Images

PCGS PR66BN

PCGS #:: 2000

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 27.50 millimeters

Weight:: 10.89 grams

Mintage:: 238

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $11,163 • PR66 • 01-09-2013 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (9)

Major Varieties

Die Varieties

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	55	R-8.4	17 / 19	34 / 43
60 or Better	52	R-8.4	17 / 19	34 / 43
65 or Better	20	R-9.1	13 / 19	20 / 43

Survival Estimate
All Grades	55
60 or Better	52
65 or Better	20

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.4
60 or Better	R-8.4
65 or Better	R-9.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	17 / 19
60 or Better	17 / 19
65 or Better	13 / 19

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	34 / 43
60 or Better	34 / 43
65 or Better	20 / 43

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PR66BN PCGS grade	Heritage 11/2005:142 - Douglas Collection - Heritage 1/2013:5758, $11,162.50
1	PR66BN PCGS grade
1	PR66BN PCGS grade
1	PR66BN PCGS grade
5	PR65BN PCGS grade	Dr. George P. French - B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 816 - John P. Young - Barney Bluestone “89th Sale” 9/1945:989 - R. E. Naftzger, Jr. - Abe Kosoff 4/1956:440 - Harold Bareford - Stack's “Auction ‘80” 8/1980:1090 - Del Bland - R. S. Brown, Jr. 12/1988 - Denis Loring 2/1993 - R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/1999 - Dan Holmes Collection - Goldbergs 1/2011:688, $10,350
5	PR65BN PCGS grade
5	PR65BN PCGS grade
5	PR65BN PCGS grade
5	PR65BN PCGS grade
5	PR65BN PCGS grade

#1 PR66BN PCGS grade

Heritage 11/2005:142 - Douglas Collection - Heritage 1/2013:5758, $11,162.50

#1 PR66BN PCGS grade

#5 PR65BN PCGS grade

Dr. George P. French - B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 816 - John P. Young - Barney Bluestone “89th Sale” 9/1945:989 - R. E. Naftzger, Jr. - Abe Kosoff 4/1956:440 - Harold Bareford - Stack's “Auction ‘80” 8/1980:1090 - Del Bland - R. S. Brown, Jr. 12/1988 - Denis Loring 2/1993 - R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/1999 - Dan Holmes Collection - Goldbergs 1/2011:688, $10,350

#5 PR65BN PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

Proof 1857 Large Cents are known only of the Small Date versions. In particular, only Newcomb 3 and Newcomb 5 have been found in Proof; not surprsingly, they are both Proof-only varieties (no "business" strikes are known of either). Breen suggested that over 80 Proof examples of Newcomb 3 survived and that "at least a dozen" of Newcomb 5 survived. Both estimates are perhaps a little low, although the Newcomb 5 is indeed a rare coin.

Finest among the Proof 1857 Large Cents is a PCGS PR66RB, followed by a small group of PCGS PR66BNs. Red-Brown 1857 Large Cent Proofs are only slightly rarer than the Brown versions, but Red examples are exceedingly rare.

The most valuable Proof 1857 Large Cent is the PCGS PR65RD example from an early iteration of the Eugene Gardner Collection (1965), which sold in 2008 for $74,750