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1856 1C PR65 PCGS. Snow-9. This is a beautiful, fully stuck example with even light brown coloration

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:45.00 - 60.00 USD
1856 1C PR65 PCGS. Snow-9. This is a beautiful, fully stuck example with even light brown coloration
1856 1C PR65 PCGS. Snow-9. This is a beautiful, fully stuck example with even light brown coloration. Richard Snow believes that this Gem could easily be the finest survivor of the Snow-9 die pair. Every element of the design is boldly struck. The fields are not as finely polished as one might expect for proof dies from this period, but this feature is common to all known examples of Snow-9. The reverse die is the same that the Mint used to produce the 1856 Snow-5 Flying Eagle Cent in this collection (centering dot under the upper left serif of the N in CENT). Interestingly, the die was repolished after striking the Snow-5 specimens, but before it was used to deliver the Snow-9 pieces. This repolishing, coupled with the general fact that the fields are not as finely polished as one might expect for a proof coin from 1856, has caused confusion among numismatic experts regarding the true status of the 1856 Snow-9 Cent. While the strike is undeniably that of a proof, the dies were not new when they were used. It is possible that both the obverse and reverse dies were treated in a special way to impart a more grainy texture to the coins. A finish such as that would be very similar to that found on the surfaces of 20th century matte proof issues. This coin is an early die state that is totally devoid of the die cracks seen on later die state examples. If, in fact, the dies were treated as speculated above, then this coin is a good example to examine for confirmation. Regardless of whether 1856 Flying Eagle Cents of the Snow-9 variety are classified as proofs, matte proofs, specimens, or business strikes, they are among the most significant coins in U.S. numismatics. As an issue, the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent represents the most dramatic coinage transition in the history of the United States. Prior to the development of the copper-nickel, or "white" Cent in 1856 and its official release the following year, the country had two coinage problems that it was unable to remedy: the unsightly and cumbersome copper Half Cents and large Cents that had been produced for more than 60 years, and the preponderance of Spanish silver coinage in active circulation. The coppers were inconvenient to all concerned, and they were becoming more and more expensive to manufacture. The Spanish silver coinage was mostly from the early part of the 19th century; those coins left in the avenues of commerce were typically well worn and problematic for daily transactions. After a trial run of the new 1856-dated copper-nickel Cents, the Mint began full scale production in early 1857. Beginning in May 1857, the new Cents were exchanged for old coppers and Spanish silver at par. This was a better deal than 80 cents on the dollar, the rate that the Mint offered to exchange Federal silver coins for their Spanish counterparts. Those who received the new Cents did so in $5 bags, and they soon found that it was difficult to spend these coins individually. Indeed, it was not unusual for the coins to be grouped in 25-cent bags and substituted for higher denomination silver coinage. A side effect of this coinage transition was the growing interest in the hobby of numismatics. Early large Cents became increasingly popular among collectors, and antiquarian dealers began to specialize in coins. Among the most popular items of the late 1850s-early 1860s era was the rare 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. One could even say that it started coin collecting in America. The longer collectors searched in vain for the 1856 Cent in circulation, the more their interest would develop into an obsession. As the only 1856 Flying Eagle Cents struck prior to 1858 were officially distributed to Congressmen and other special parties, few ordinary collectors were able to acquire an example. At one point, premiums rose to $2 per coin--an unheard of amount for such a recent issue. As the fame of the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent grew, the Mint took notice and provided additional examples for the collecting public starting in 1858. These coins were proofs that collectors of the time greatly preferred over business strikes. Judging by the number of specimens extant, Snow believes that between 1000 and 2000 examples were struck for sale to collectors at this time, mostly from the Snow-9 die pair. These coins also show a progression of die deterioration that suggests an original mintage in this range. The proof quality of each individual coin suffered because of the quantity required to meet collector demand. In fact, so many pieces were produced at this time that contemporary auction records show a price premium of a mere 25 cents per coin. It was not until the 1870s that prices rebounded to pre-1858 levels. The estimated mintage for the proof 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is more than 50 times that of any other proof issue from this era. By the start of the Civil War, many of these coins must have remained in the Mint's sales drawers. Some of these may even have been released into circulation throughout the 1860s. These circumstances may account for the numerous circulated examples that are available in today's market.From the Joseph P. Gorrell Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. 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