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1855 E1C Flying Eagle Cent, Judd-171, Pollock-196

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855 E1C Flying Eagle Cent, Judd-171, Pollock-196
<B>1855<E1C> Flying Eagle Cent, Judd-171, Pollock-196, Possibly Unique, PR61 NGC.</B></I> An eagle flying left dominates the obverse, 13 stars are arranged around the periphery, the date 1855 is below. On the reverse, the denomination ONE CENT is centered within a laurel wreath, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is at the border. Struck in a variant of German silver with a plain edge. Apparently several alloys of German silver were used for these pieces as Pollock lists one on a 75% copper, 12% nickel and 13% zinc planchet, while another from a January 2004 ANR Sale was struck on a 64% copper, 19% nickel and 17% zinc planchet. This particular experimental piece was struck on a planchet composed of 66% copper, 20% nickel, and 14% zinc--as stated on the NGC insert.<BR> The USPatterns.com website states: "Some of these were struck from sharply clashed dies including the J170/P196 in Ira and Larry Goldberg's Coins and Collectibles June 2000 sale. One would suspect the German silver coins to be originals as the experiments using German silver occurred from 1853-1855. If this is the case, then all restrikes should show some evidence of these clashed dies." However, this piece shows obvious die clashing in the fields, so apparently some of the German silver experimental coins were struck from clashed dies.<BR> The surfaces have the silvery-nickel look that one would expect from this alloy with a few light spots. As with all known examples of Judd-171, the striking details are very weak; suggesting that this piece was struck with the same die pressure as the much softer bronze large cents. The fields are very lightly striated and evidence of a proof finish is only suggested on each side.<BR> It is possible that at some future date, the various known alloys of German silver will each receive its own Judd designation. The piece that is known to have a composition of 75% copper, 12% nickel, and 13% zinc is called Judd-171a in the current Judd reference. With this piece's copper and nickel composition differing so greatly from the J-171a, it would be logical to label this as Judd-171b.