1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Snow-PR1. Large Letters, High Leaves Reverse (Style of 1857), Type I. Proof-65 (PCGS).This is a beautiful example of the rare 1858 Large Letters Proof Flying Eagle cent, that should be seen to be fully appreciated. Both sides exhibit gorgeous champagne-pink and apricot highlights to dominant golden-tan patina. The fields are highly reflective and form a splendid backdrop to satiny, fully impressed devices. Carefully preserved and solidly graded as a Gem, there is much to recommend this lovely specimen.According to Rick Snow in the 2014 edition of his Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide:The estimated mintage of 100 [for the Proof 1858 Flying Eagle cent] is derived from the 80 silver sets reportedly sold plus a small mintage of pattern sets, no more than 20. The number of survivors seems to fit these figures, and serve as a reasonable starting point. I would estimate that about 50 examples exist today.Rare and desirable, especially at the Gem Proof level offered here.
