The 1857 Flying Eagle cent offered here is an extremely well-struck, lustrous near-Gem example with a survival estimate of just 12,000 pieces. Its obverse displays a dominant golden-bronze hue layered with soft undertones of pale coppery tan, accented by olive-gray shading around the rims and lettering. The eagle is sharply defined, its wings and feathers catching lighter satiny gold highlights, while faint auburn and muted orange streaks lend added depth and visual interest. The reverse carries slightly deeper caramel-gold toning than the obverse, with warm golden-tan fields accented by reddish-gold and amber highlights. The wreath is more lustrous, with frosty brilliance settling into the bow and leaves, and subtle bronze-brown shading enhancing sculptural detail. Marks are minimal, surfaces are smooth and evenly textured with a gentle cartwheel luster flashing in preserved areas, typical of the copper-nickel alloy of this short-lived type. Combining excellent technical quality with appealing color and texture, this piece offers superb eye appeal for the series. The most recent comp a MS64 PCGS CAC example sold for $3,480 06/25 HA for a nice OGH and $2,640 for a non-OGH 06/25 HA.
Ex: Dr. Gary Lattimer Collection (Heritage, 6/2002).
Ex: From The Cornerstone Collection
