1857 Flying Eagle Cent. Snow-PR1. Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS).Here is a simply outstanding example of this underrated rarity from the Flying Eagle cent series of 1856 to 1858. Appealing salmon pink and powder blue highlights enliven otherwise golden-tan surfaces. Highly reflective in the fields, the devices are set apart with both razor sharp striking detail and a soft satin texture. Well cameoed in finish the pleasing appearance is very close to a full Gem rating.The second year 1857 Flying Eagle cent is a rarity in Proof, certainly multiple times rarer than the more widely known 1856 Flying Eagle cent. The date has an estimated Proof mintage of just 50 pieces with perhaps as few as 20 to 30 actually known today. Indeed, the Bowers reference on the series notes:True Proofs are very rare, more so than generally realized. Walter Breen, Encyclopedia of Proof Coins, pg. 104, states most were made in May 1857 from a die with file marks over NI of UNITED, one file mark joining left upright of N to rim. All known 1857 Proofs are of the Style of 1857 Lettering. These were probably released to collectors on or after May 25, 1857 (the day that circulation strikes were first distributed to the eager public)....it may be that fewer than 20 to 30 true Proofs are known of this date, and estimates range as low as 10 to 20.The die marriage described by Breen, quoted by Bowers, is now known as Snow-PR1. According to Rick Snow (2014) two other die pairings have also been confirmed, although neither Snow-PR2 nor PR3 are as uniformly strong in Proof qualities as PR1. In fact, the author describes some PR2 examples as questionable as true proofs, and he also states that, The PR3 die pair seems to have struck some proof quality examples and was then put into service to strike business strikes, complicating attribution immensely. The present specimen, from the PR1 pairing, is an undeniable Proof that would make a fine addition to an advanced collection of Flying Eagle and Indian cents.From the ESM Collection.
