1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small Letters, Low Leaves Reverse (Style of 1858), Type II. MS-66 (PCGS).A second premium Gem Flying Eagle cent, this piece from the final year of production for this brief series. Fully struck with bountiful satin luster, both sides are further adorned with vivid orange-tan patina. Overall pristine, as befits the assigned grade, and sure to have no difficulty finding its way into a top-flight type or date set. Although produced in greater numbers (24,600,000 vs. 17,450,000 circulation strikes), the 1858 is a bit scarcer than the 1857 in Mint State. Likely some of the contemporary interest in preserving examples of this brief design type had waned by 1858, much of the demand met by the 1857 issue and, for he more fortunate or those with better Mint connections, the classic 1856. This is an impressive condition rarity at the MS-66 level, and it is sure to have no difficulty eliciting strong bids at auction.
