177

1858 1C Large Letters PR65 Cameo PCGS. Snow-PR1. All o

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:24,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1858 1C Large Letters PR65 Cameo PCGS. Snow-PR1. All o
<B>1858 1C Large Letters PR65 Cameo PCGS.</B></I> Snow-PR1. All of the specific die characteristics described by Snow for his first listed variety of proof 1858 cents are present on this specimen, including the short diagonal die file marks from the dentils below the first 8 and the 5. Deeply mirrored with rich golden-tan surfaces and frosty devices. Very sharply struck as expected for these proof coins. Minor lint marks in the fields, as well as slight doubling on various letters on both sides, confirm the status of this proof example. The mirrored fields crisply intersect with the devices, unlike some prooflike circulation strikes that exhibit slight mint frost at these junctures. Two toning spots are mentioned as pedigree identifiers: one near the obverse rim at 7 o'clock, the other between the U and N of UNITED. This is an example of exceptional beauty and will certainly be a prized possession of the new owner.<BR> The number of examples originally coined, as well as the number of survivors today, is not known with accuracy. Richard Snow estimated a mintage of 80 examples of this Large Letters variety as well as an additional 100 Small Letters proofs. In <I>A Buyer's and Enthusiast's Guide to Flying Eagle and Indian Cents,</B></I> Dave Bowers suggested that between 50 and 100 of these Large Letters proof cents were distributed, and that they may have been included as part of the pattern copper-nickel cent sets issued that year. Bowers further opined that the Small Letters proofs were distributed not only in 1858, but as restrikes produced during the next few years. According to Bowers, the Large Letters proofs are extremely rare, and are much rarer than their Small Letters brethren.